Can a person have a lifelong adrenal insufficiency?

[Jane0218]

Is it possible that many of the problems I've experienced most of my adult life can be rooted in adrenal glands that just don't work properly?

Some of the symptoms of adrenal 'fatigue' I've experienced my whole adult life.  Just in the past few weeks have symptoms become more intense and new symptoms arise due to chronic stress.

Can a person be born with adrenal glands that don't function at their full potential?

Thanks!

[mumofR]

This is really interesting. Looking back at my son's medical history, adrenal insufficiency from birth would explain a lot about him. I know there is no way we can go back in time and proove that but it is interesting to know that he is not unique.

[japrilfire]

There is non classical cah which yes ..can be symptoms your describing and until something dramatic happens and you cant produce the cortisol to get you back to par that is when they find out about it . Also they are finding that a carrier of the condition will also have mild symptoms and be sickly all the time or take longer to get back to normal get tested go to endocrine cause it could just be hormonal imbalance might need tweeked good luck

[rumpled]

Yes, there are a few diseases -  Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) (that is from birth) and Addison's disease.

[enzymelover]

  Yes, it's possible, but more likely your adrenals begin to function poorly due to underlying conditions that began with a viral or bacterial infection, or an autoimmune problem, or a toxin that contributes to endocrine damage. You might not realize there's a problem, until you have to deal with a stressful event or injury, then you're suddenly wiped out because your adrenals can't respond to support your body.
Doctors say it's just stress, but if you can't recover from the stress, you need adrenal support.