When your adrenal tumor, an abnormal growth on one or both adrenal glands that can disrupt hormone production. Also known as adrenal gland tumor, it may be harmless or trigger serious health issues depending on whether it makes hormones. These glands sit on top of your kidneys and control stress response, blood pressure, metabolism, and more. A tumor here doesn’t mean cancer—it’s often benign—but if it overproduces hormones like cortisol, adrenaline, or aldosterone, your body goes out of balance.
There are three main types you should know. A pheochromocytoma, a tumor that makes too much adrenaline and noradrenaline can cause sudden spikes in blood pressure, pounding heart, sweating, and panic attacks. A aldosteronoma, a tumor that overproduces aldosterone leads to high blood pressure and low potassium—symptoms often mistaken for simple hypertension. And a Cushing's syndrome, caused by excess cortisol from an adrenal tumor brings weight gain around the midsection, thin skin, easy bruising, and mood swings. These aren’t rare, but they’re often missed because their signs look like everyday stress or aging.
Most adrenal tumors are found by accident during scans for other problems. But if you have unexplained high blood pressure that won’t respond to meds, sudden anxiety attacks, or unusual weight changes without diet or exercise shifts, it’s worth asking your doctor about adrenal testing. Blood and urine tests check hormone levels, and imaging like CT or MRI confirms the tumor’s size and location. Not every tumor needs surgery—some just need monitoring. But if it’s making too much hormone or growing fast, removal is usually the best move.
What you’ll find below are real, practical guides from people who’ve been there. From how to track symptoms before diagnosis, to understanding recovery after surgery, to managing side effects when hormones stay out of whack—even when the tumor is gone. You’ll see how others handled medication changes, what labs to ask for, and why some doctors miss this entirely. No fluff. Just what works when your body’s chemistry gets hijacked by a small growth you didn’t know you had.
