Since adrenal glands control many vital hormones, disorders are usually diagnosed by checking hormone levels and looking at the structure of the glands. Doctors don’t rely on just one test - instead, they use a combination of lab tests, scans, and clinical signs to confirm if the glands are underactive, overactive, or affected by a tumor.

Main Methods of Diagnosis

1. Blood Tests

• Measure hormones like cortisol, aldosterone, and ACTH.
• Can show if levels are too high (like in Cushing’s) or too low (like in Addison’s).

2. Urine Tests (24-hour collection)

• Used to measure cortisol levels across an entire day.
• Helpful in spotting hormone overproduction.

3. Stimulation and Suppression Tests

• Special medicines are given to see how adrenal glands react.
• Example: ACTH stimulation test checks if glands can produce cortisol properly.

4. Imaging Scans (CT or MRI)

• Show if there are tumors, enlargement, or structural damage in the glands.

5. Physical Examination & Symptoms

• Signs like unusual weight gain/loss, skin darkening, high/low blood pressure, or muscle weakness guide doctors toward adrenal issues.