Recognising the Symptoms of Adrenal Tumours

Most people don’t think about their adrenal glands, until something starts to feel off. These two small glands, sitting just above your kidneys, quietly help regulate things like energy, blood pressure, stress, and how your body responds to illness. When something goes wrong, it can feel like your body is no longer acting like itself.

One possible cause is an adrenal tumour. While many of these growths are harmless, some can affect how your body produces hormones, leading to subtle or unexpected changes in how you feel. Being aware of potential adrenal disease indicators can help you take the next step with confidence and clarity.

What Is an Adrenal Tumour?

An adrenal tumour is a lump or growth that develops in one of your adrenal glands. Some are found by chance during imaging for unrelated issues. Others reveal themselves more slowly, through a combination of symptoms that might not seem connected at first.

While many adrenal tumours are benign and quiet, others can lead to overproduction of hormones that affect your entire system. A small number may be cancerous, but most are manageable with proper care.

Changes Worth Noticing

Adrenal tumours can influence a range of hormones, so the symptoms aren’t always the same. They might show up gradually, making it hard to link them to a single cause. But your body often gives quiet clues.

Here are some signs that may be worth paying attention to:

• Gaining weight around your face, neck, or belly without explanation

• Feeling weaker in your arms or legs than usual

• High blood pressure that doesn’t respond well to treatment

• Feeling tired all the time, even after rest

• Emotional changes like increased anxiety or low mood

• Irregular periods or new facial/body hair (for women)

• Episodes of shakiness, headaches, or sweating

• A racing heartbeat

  
  

These symptoms don’t always point to adrenal issues, but if they feel unusual or persistent, a conversation with your doctor is a good place to start.

Getting Checked

If you’ve noticed changes that don’t feel normal, the first step is to investigate whether your hormones are out of balance. A few simple blood or urine tests can reveal a lot. If needed, your doctor may also recommend a scan to look more closely at your adrenal glands.

The process is usually straightforward and focused on giving you clear answers,no guessing, no assumptions.

What Comes After a Diagnosis?

Finding out you have an adrenal tumour can feel overwhelming,but not all tumours need urgent treatment. Some just need to be watched over time.

If action is needed, the plan depends on what your body is doing. Treatment may involve:

• Medications to help manage hormone levels

• Adjustments to other medications you’re already taking

• Surgery to remove the tumour, especially if it’s producing too much hormone or causing symptoms

  
  

You’ll have the chance to talk through options, ask questions, and understand what makes sense for your situation.

Staying on Track

After treatment, or even if no treatment is needed, ongoing follow-up helps ensure your hormone levels remain balanced. This might include:

• Periodic blood tests

• Follow-up scans

• Tips for managing symptoms, energy, or lifestyle factors

Your care plan should reflect your health history, lifestyle, and what matters to you.

When Should You See Someone?

It’s easy to dismiss changes like tiredness, mood shifts, or unusual weight gain. But sometimes those small signals are how your body asks for help.

Consider checking in with a healthcare provider if you:

• Feel persistently tired or anxious

• Notice blood pressure changes that don’t improve

• Experience mood swings or menstrual irregularities

• Have had a scan showing something near the adrenal glands

  
  

It’s not about jumping to conclusions, it’s about listening to your body and staying informed.

A Step Toward Answers

If something doesn’t feel quite right and you’re wondering what’s going on behind the scenes, don’t wait. Understanding your symptoms can lead to early answers and more options. Appointments are available at Cedar Endocrine Clinic, located in Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre and Mount Alvernia Hospital.