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Adrenal Axis Sensitivity

Meaning

Adrenal axis sensitivity describes the degree of responsiveness of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis to various internal and external stimuli, particularly those perceived as stressors. It is a measure of how readily the adrenal glands, specifically the cortex, modulate their output of glucocorticoids, like cortisol, in response to upstream signaling from the hypothalamus and pituitary. Clinically, a heightened sensitivity can lead to an overproduction or dysregulated pattern of cortisol release, even with minor stimuli. This delicate neuroendocrine feedback loop is crucial for maintaining systemic homeostasis and allostatic load management.