What are the risks of not treating cortisol deficiency syndrome in a timely manner?

Adrenal cortical insufficiency generally refers to adrenal insufficiency. If left untreated, adrenal cortical insufficiency may lead to risks such as adrenal crisis, worsening metabolic disturbances, cardiovascular damage, dysfunction of the digestive system, and persistent decline in immunity. Detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Adrenal Crisis

Patients with adrenal cortical insufficiency inherently have insufficient adrenal hormone secretion. If not treated promptly, the hormonal deficiency will progressively worsen. When encountering stressful situations such as infections, trauma, or fatigue, the body cannot secrete enough hormones to respond, making adrenal crisis more likely.

2. Worsening Metabolic Disturbances

Adrenal hormones regulate the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Failure to treat the disease promptly leads to metabolic imbalance. Patients may develop persistently low blood sugar, causing symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue, and palpitations.

3. Cardiovascular Damage

Aldosterone, one of the adrenal hormones, regulates water and salt balance and maintains normal blood pressure. Delayed treatment results in insufficient aldosterone secretion, leading to loss of sodium and water, reduced blood volume, and subsequent symptoms such as decreased blood pressure and increased heart rate.

4. Dysfunction of the Digestive System

Deficiency of adrenal hormones can affect the normal function of the digestive system. Without timely treatment, symptoms progressively worsen. Patients may experience loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting. Prolonged symptoms can lead to inadequate nutrient intake, resulting in weight loss and malnutrition.

5. Persistent Decline in Immunity

Adrenal cortical hormones regulate immune function. Failure to treat this condition promptly results in hormone deficiency, leading to a continuous decline in immunity. Patients are prone to recurrent infections from pathogens such as bacteria and viruses, developing infectious diseases like colds and pneumonia, and experiencing increased difficulty recovering from infections.

In addition, untreated adrenal cortical insufficiency may also lead to worsening skin pigmentation and mental lethargy. Therefore, patients who receive a diagnosis should seek timely medical treatment and undergo regular follow-up examinations to prevent complications. If symptoms suddenly worsen, immediate medical attention is necessary.