Which statement best describes the cause of Adrenal Hyperplasia?

Which statement best describes the cause of Adrenal Hyperplasia?

• A. Elevated ACTH levels cause hyperplasia of adrenal tissues.
• B. It reduces cortisol production.
• C. It is caused by aldosterone deficiency.
• D. It never leads to ambiguous genitalia.

Answer: (A)

Adrenal hyperplasia arises from chronic stimulation of the adrenal cortex by ACTH when cortisol production is impaired. In conditions like congenital adrenal hyperplasia, an enzymatic block in cortisol synthesis lowers cortisol levels, removing the pituitary’s negative feedback and causing ACTH to rise. This persistently elevated ACTH drives growth of the adrenal cortex, leading to hyperplasia. So the cause is the increased ACTH stimulating adrenal tissue. While reduced cortisol is a consequence and aldosterone issues can occur in some forms, the hyperplasia itself is due to the excess ACTH. And it’s true that CAH can cause androgen excess with possible ambiguous genitalia in newborn females, not the statement that it never leads to that.

Adrenal hyperplasia arises from chronic stimulation of the adrenal cortex by ACTH when cortisol production is impaired. In conditions like congenital adrenal hyperplasia, an enzymatic block in cortisol synthesis lowers cortisol levels, removing the pituitary’s negative feedback and causing ACTH to rise. This persistently elevated ACTH drives growth of the adrenal cortex, leading to hyperplasia. So the cause is the increased ACTH stimulating adrenal tissue. While reduced cortisol is a consequence and aldosterone issues can occur in some forms, the hyperplasia itself is due to the excess ACTH. And it’s true that CAH can cause androgen excess with possible ambiguous genitalia in newborn females, not the statement that it never leads to that.