Australian Dental Council (ADC) Practice Test 2026 - Free ADC Practice Questions and Study Guide

Adrenal suppression due to steroid use can lead to secondary adrenal insufficiency, which is characterized by the body’s inability to produce adequate amounts of adrenal hormones due to long-term steroid use. When corticosteroids are administered, they can inhibit the body's normal production of these hormones by suppressing the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. As a result, when the steroids are reduced or stopped, the adrenal glands may not function adequately to produce cortisol and other adrenal hormones, leading to symptoms associated with adrenal insufficiency.

Secondary adrenal insufficiency can manifest with symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, low blood pressure, and in some cases, individuals may experience conditions like adrenal crisis if not managed correctly. Recognizing this association is critical for clinicians to manage patients effectively who have been on prolonged steroid therapy.

The other choices present symptoms or conditions that do not directly relate to adrenal suppression caused by steroid use. For instance, increased blood pressure is often more closely associated with excess cortisol or conditions like Cushing's syndrome rather than adrenal insufficiency. Facial hair growth can result from hormonal imbalances, but it is typically linked to androgen excess rather than suppression. Severe headaches can have various causes unrelated to adrenal function. Thus, secondary adrenal insufficiency stands out