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Introduction to Our Adrenal Glands


What are adrenal glands?


Adrenal glands are two small triangle-shaped glands sitting on top of your kidneys. They are also called suprarenal glands, and they are part of the endocrine system. Endocrine means any gland or body tissue that is involved in releasing hormones directly into the blood. Hormones are natural chemical messengers that target specific cells, tissues, skin, muscles,  or other organs for a specific function that our body needs to perform at a certain time. Hormones are crucial for the regular functioning of our body. Adrenal glands are powerhouse glands because they produce many hormones required for the basic maintenance of our body. 



Image Source: Metropolis
Image Source: Metropolis


What bodily functions are taken care of by the adrenal glands?

The following characteristics are controlled and maintained by our adrenal glands:

  1. Managing blood sugar and blood pressure levels

  2. Balancing salt, water, and other electrolytes

  3. Maintaining heart rate and immune functions

  4. Response to stress and illness

  5. How the body takes up energy from food and utilizes it

  6. Development of sexual characteristics

  7. Pregnancy and reproductive health



What hormones do adrenal glands produce?

  1. Cortisol: This is popularly known as the stress hormone, which plays different important roles. It helps in the breakdown of nutrients from food, which are carbohydrates, fats, and proteins (metabolism), regulates blood pressure, increases blood sugar levels, suppresses inflammation (your immune system’s natural response and protective mechanism to injury, infection, foreign bodies, or any type of stress), regulates the sleep-wake cycle, and maintains bone health. It is released during times of stress and helps the body handle stressful situations and emergencies.


  1. Aldosterone: This hormone helps with maintaining blood pressure and electrolyte levels (sodium and potassium) in the blood. It also helps in regulating the blood acidity levels by balancing the electrolytes.


  1. Adrenaline (epinephrine) and Non-adrenaline (non-epinephrine): These hormones are called the ‘fight’ and ‘flight’ hormones. They are produced during physically and/or emotionally stressful situations and emergencies, especially involving fear and danger. During such a situation, these hormones increase heart rate, force of heart contractions, increasing blood flow to your muscles and brain and helping in breaking down glucose for increased instant energy. They also control the squeezing of your blood vessels (arteries and veins), which helps in maintaining blood pressure


  1. Sex hormones: Adrenal glands make sex hormones in small amounts in the form of a precursor hormone. Precursor means an inactive hormone that is converted into an active hormone in another part of the body. These are considered weak hormones since they do not have a direct impact but are later converted into powerful sex hormones. These notably include DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone), DHEAS (DHEA sulfate), and androstenedione, which are produced in everyone. These are later converted into testosterone (active form of androgen) in the testes and estrogen in the ovaries. 




References:

  1. Professional, C. C. M. (2026, January 8). Adrenal Gland. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/23005-adrenal-gland 

  2. National Library of Medicine. (n.d.). Adrenal gland disorders. Addison’s Disease | MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/adrenalglanddisorders.html 

  3. Frequently Asked Questions about Adrenal Gland Health. (n.d.). Columbia Surgery. https://columbiasurgery.org/news/faq-about-adrenal-gland-health 

  4. Grossman, A. B. (2026, January 23). Overview of the adrenal glands. Merck Manual Consumer Version. https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/hormonal-and-metabolic-disorders/adrenal-gland-disorders/overview-of-the-adrenal-glands

  5. All about the adrenal glands. (n.d.). American Association of Clinical Endocrinology. https://www.aace.com/disease-and-conditions/adrenal/all-about-adrenal-glands 

  6. CCD, J. M. M. F. F. E. (n.d.). Adrenal glands and functions: Palmetto Endocrinology: Endocrinology, diabetes and thyroid specialists. Joseph W Mathews, MD, FACP, FACE, ECNU, CCD. https://www.palmettoendocrinology.org/blog/adrenal-glands-and-functions

  7. Adrenal Glands - Pediatric Endocrinology - Golisano Children’s Hospital - URochester Medicine. (n.d.). https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/childrens-hospital/endocrinology/adrenal-glands 

 
 
 

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