Tertiary causes of an overactive adrenal gland are due to problems with the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus is producing excess CRH and the negative feedback loop between the adrenal gland and the hypothalamus is essentially unresponsive.
The hypothalamus can be overactive due to trauma, cancer, infections, or idiopathic causes. The signs and symptoms of tertiary hyperadrenalism are the same as primary and secondary because the main issues are a result of excess cortisol.
Tertiary hyperadrenal gland disorders are extremely rare.
Table 5. Hyperadrenalism.| Hyperadrenalism |
| Pathology | Hormone Levels in the Body | Responsible Organ |
| Primary | ↑↑Cortisol, ↓↓ACTH, ↓↓CRH | Adrenal Gland |
| Secondary (Cushing's Disease) | ↑↑Cortisol, ↑↑ACTH, ↓↓CRH
| Pituitary Gland |
| Tertiary | ↑↑Cortisol, ↑↑ACTH, ↑↑CRH
| Hypothalamus |
