What is a common cause of secondary adrenal insufficiency?

Long-term corticosteroid use is a well-established cause of secondary adrenal insufficiency. This occurs because the administration of exogenous corticosteroids leads to a suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. When corticosteroids are taken over an extended period, the body's own production of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) by the pituitary gland can diminish due to a feedback mechanism. This reduction leads to insufficient stimulation of the adrenal glands to produce cortisol, resulting in secondary adrenal insufficiency.

Chronic stress, while it can affect adrenal function, primarily influences cortisol levels rather than being a direct cause of adrenal insufficiency. Adrenal tumors typically result in primary adrenal insufficiency or hypersecretion of hormones, rather than secondary adrenal insufficiency. Genetic mutations can lead to various adrenal disorders, but they are not common causes of secondary adrenal insufficiency in contrast to long-term corticosteroid use, which is a prevalent and recognized clinical issue.