Adrenal Insufficiency Treatment in Sherman, Texas, at DFWPMA

Looking for adrenal insufficiency treatment in Sherman, Texas? At DFW Physicians Medical Associates (DFWPMA), board-certified endocrinologist Dr. Gitana Staskus provides specialized evaluations for adults with suspected or diagnosed adrenal hormone deficiency. Symptoms may include persistent tiredness, unexplained weight loss, dizziness, low blood pressure, and abnormal cortisol test results.

Our adrenal insufficiency care focuses on assessing cortisol production, identifying whether hormonal dysfunction originates in the adrenal glands or elsewhere in the endocrine system, and evaluating appropriate medical management for patients with confirmed adrenal insufficiency.

Whether previous laboratory testing has raised concerns about cortisol deficiency, you are managing an existing adrenal disorder, or you need an endocrinologist to investigate unexplained symptoms, DFWPMA offers individualized assessments and treatment planning.

Call (903) 957-0082 to contact our Sherman location or request an appointment online.

Address: 📍
425 N Highland Ave., Suite 260, Sherman, TX 75092

Click here to get directions

We accept many major insurance plans. Not sure if your plan is accepted?

Call (903) 957-0082 and our team can help verify coverage.

Endocrinology and Hormone health services in Sherman, Texas at DFWPMA

Why Choose DFWPMA for Adrenal Insufficiency Treatment in Sherman, Texas?

Diagnosing adrenal insufficiency requires careful interpretation of hormone measurements and an understanding of how the adrenal glands interact with the pituitary and hypothalamus. At DFWPMA Sherman, patients can receive specialized endocrine evaluations designed to identify possible cortisol deficiency, investigate its underlying cause, and guide appropriate treatment decisions.

Patients seeking adrenal insufficiency evaluations at DFWPMA may benefit from:

  • Experienced Endocrinology Specialist: Access to Dr. Gitana Staskus, a board-certified endocrinologist with more than two decades of clinical experience managing hormonal and endocrine disorders.
  • Detailed Adrenal Health Assessment: Review of symptoms, medical conditions, medication history, and previous laboratory findings that may suggest inadequate adrenal hormone production.
  • Appropriate Cortisol Evaluation: Selection and interpretation of cortisol measurements performed at clinically relevant times, with additional diagnostic testing when needed.
  • ACTH Hormone Assessment: Evaluation of adrenocorticotropic hormone levels to help identify whether cortisol deficiency is associated with adrenal gland dysfunction or inadequate pituitary signaling.
  • Primary and Secondary Adrenal Disorder Evaluation: Investigation of whether the adrenal glands themselves are impaired or whether insufficient stimulation from the pituitary or hypothalamus is responsible.
  • Hormone Replacement Treatment Considerations: Individualized review of glucocorticoid replacement and other medically indicated therapies for confirmed adrenal insufficiency.
  • Medication-Induced Adrenal Suppression Assessment: Evaluation of reduced cortisol production associated with prolonged glucocorticoid use or recent changes in steroid medication.
  • Personalized Medical Management: Treatment recommendations based on the diagnosed adrenal condition, laboratory results, symptom severity, and coexisting medical concerns.
  • Continued Endocrine Monitoring: Follow-up care to assess medication response, treatment safety, and possible adjustments needed during illness or increased physical stress.

Adrenal insufficiency develops when the body cannot produce enough cortisol to meet its physiological needs. Cortisol helps regulate metabolism, maintain blood pressure, and support the body’s response to illness and other forms of stress. In certain types of adrenal insufficiency, aldosterone production is also reduced, affecting fluid balance, sodium, potassium, and blood pressure.

Because fatigue, nausea, weight loss, and dizziness can result from many different conditions, symptoms alone cannot establish an adrenal insufficiency diagnosis. Appropriate hormone testing is necessary to determine whether cortisol production is inadequate and identify the underlying disorder.

Important: Adrenal crisis is a potentially life-threatening emergency. Severe weakness, repeated vomiting, confusion, fainting, or dangerously low blood pressure require immediate emergency medical attention rather than waiting for a routine endocrinology appointment.

Schedule an adrenal insufficiency evaluation at DFWPMA Sherman to discuss symptoms and specialized endocrine care.

Meet Our Adrenal Insufficiency Treatment Provider in Sherman, Texas

Gitana Staskus, MD – Board-Certified Endocrinologist

Dr. Gitana Staskus has more than 20 years of experience diagnosing and managing endocrine and metabolic conditions in adults and older adults. Her clinical background includes hormonal disorders, thyroid disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, and complex conditions affecting normal endocrine function.

Her approach emphasizes accurate diagnosis, patient education, and medical recommendations tailored to individual clinical findings. Dr. Staskus’s endocrinology expertise supports the assessment of adrenal hormone abnormalities, interpretation of cortisol-related laboratory testing, and evaluation of appropriate treatment strategies for patients with suspected or confirmed adrenal insufficiency.

Request an appointment with Dr. Gitana Staskus to inquire about adrenal insufficiency evaluations at DFWPMA Sherman.

What Symptoms Can Adrenal Insufficiency Treatment in Sherman Help With?

Appropriate treatment for confirmed adrenal insufficiency can help address symptoms resulting from inadequate cortisol production, including low energy, muscle weakness, low blood pressure, and digestive complaints. Hormone replacement therapy is also important for reducing the risk of adrenal crisis when the body cannot produce sufficient cortisol during illness or other physiological stress.

At DFWPMA Sherman, adrenal hormone evaluations may be appropriate for patients experiencing:

  • Ongoing Fatigue: Persistent exhaustion or diminished energy that may develop when the body is unable to produce adequate cortisol.
  • Reduced Muscle Strength: Weakness or decreased physical stamina that can accompany prolonged adrenal hormone deficiency.
  • Unintentional Weight Loss: Unexpected decreases in body weight, sometimes accompanied by poor appetite, nausea, or other symptoms of cortisol deficiency.
  • Abnormally Low Blood Pressure: Hypotension that may contribute to weakness, fatigue, or difficulty tolerating standing and physical activity.
  • Lightheadedness Upon Standing: Dizziness associated with a drop in blood pressure when moving from a seated or lying position to standing.
  • Nausea and Poor Appetite: Ongoing gastrointestinal symptoms that may occur when cortisol production is insufficient.
  • Recurring Abdominal Discomfort: Stomach pain or digestive complaints that may accompany adrenal hormone deficiency and warrant further evaluation.
  • Increased Salt Cravings: A strong preference for salty foods that may develop in primary adrenal insufficiency when aldosterone production is reduced.
  • Unusual Skin Darkening: Hyperpigmentation affecting scars, skin folds, or mucous membranes that can occur in primary adrenal insufficiency because of elevated ACTH levels.
  • Low Sodium Concentrations: Hyponatremia associated with cortisol deficiency and, in primary adrenal insufficiency, potentially reduced mineralocorticoid activity.
  • High Potassium Levels: Hyperkalemia that may occur when primary adrenal insufficiency reduces aldosterone production and disrupts potassium regulation.
  • Episodes of Low Blood Sugar: Hypoglycemia that can develop with cortisol deficiency, particularly during fasting, illness, or increased physical stress.
  • Symptoms Following Steroid Reduction: Fatigue, weakness, dizziness, or related concerns that may arise after glucocorticoid medications are reduced or discontinued.

Adrenal insufficiency may occur because the adrenal glands cannot manufacture enough cortisol or because the hypothalamus and pituitary fail to provide the hormonal signals needed for normal cortisol production. This hormone is essential for blood pressure stability, glucose availability, immune regulation, and the body’s ability to respond to illness or injury.

Book an endocrinology consultation in Sherman to discuss possible adrenal hormone deficiency and appropriate diagnostic evaluation.

What Adrenal Insufficiency Treatments Are Available at DFWPMA Sherman?

Adrenal insufficiency care at DFWPMA Sherman focuses on evaluating cortisol production, determining whether the condition involves primary or secondary adrenal dysfunction, and considering appropriate medical treatment. Dr. Gitana Staskus provides specialized endocrine assessments that can help guide hormone replacement decisions and long-term management for patients with adrenal insufficiency.

Depending on symptoms, laboratory results, the type of adrenal disorder, and medical history, evaluation and treatment planning may include:

  • Comprehensive Adrenal Health Consultation: Review of blood pressure, symptoms, medications, relevant medical conditions, and previous cortisol or other hormone test results.
  • Early-Morning Cortisol Measurement: Testing of cortisol at a clinically appropriate time, with results interpreted according to the laboratory method and the patient’s medical circumstances.
  • ACTH Laboratory Assessment: Measurement of adrenocorticotropic hormone to help distinguish adrenal gland failure from inadequate pituitary stimulation.
  • ACTH Stimulation Test Evaluation: Assessment of the adrenal glands’ cortisol response following synthetic ACTH administration when dynamic testing is needed to confirm the diagnosis.
  • Electrolyte and Glucose Testing: Evaluation of sodium, potassium, blood glucose, and other metabolic findings that may be affected by adrenal hormone deficiency.
  • Aldosterone and Renin Testing: Investigation of mineralocorticoid function when primary adrenal insufficiency is suspected or has been established.
  • Hydrocortisone Replacement Consideration: Evaluation of oral hydrocortisone as a potential glucocorticoid replacement option for patients with confirmed chronic cortisol deficiency.
  • Alternative Glucocorticoid Therapy Assessment: Discussion of other suitable replacement medications when hydrocortisone is not appropriate or another regimen is medically preferred.
  • Fludrocortisone Treatment Evaluation: Consideration of mineralocorticoid replacement for patients with primary adrenal insufficiency and inadequate aldosterone production.
  • Management of Steroid-Related Adrenal Suppression: Evaluation of reduced adrenal function associated with glucocorticoid use, including individualized medication tapering and monitoring for hormonal recovery.
  • Illness-Related Medication Adjustment Planning: Education about additional glucocorticoid requirements during significant illness, injury, or other physiological stress when clinically indicated.
  • Adrenal Crisis Emergency Preparation: Discussion of emergency hydrocortisone use, medical identification, and recognizing situations that require immediate emergency medical treatment.
  • Long-Term Replacement Therapy Follow-Up: Continued assessment of symptoms, blood pressure, medication response, and potential signs of insufficient or excessive hormone replacement.

Treatment for adrenal insufficiency depends on the underlying diagnosis and which adrenal hormones are deficient. Patients with confirmed chronic cortisol deficiency generally need glucocorticoid replacement to provide the hormonal activity their bodies cannot produce adequately.

Looking for adrenal insufficiency treatment in Sherman, Texas? Contact DFWPMA to schedule an appointment or call (903) 957-0082 to discuss adrenal hormone testing, specialized endocrinology evaluations, and treatment options with Dr. Gitana Staskus.