What is Adrenal Suppression?

When you take steroid medications (like Prednisone) for a long time, your adrenal glands "go to sleep." They stop making their own cortisol because the pills are doing the job. If you suddenly stop the steroids, your body has NO cortisol, leading to Adrenal Insufficiency.

Who is at risk?

• Anyone taking Prednisone ≥20mg/day for more than 3 weeks.
• Anyone on ANY dose of steroids for more than a few months.
• People using high-dose steroid inhalers, creams, or injections (can also suppress the adrenals).

Symptoms of Withdrawal:

• Fatigue, weakness, body aches.
• Nausea, loss of appetite.
• Low blood pressure, dizziness.
• Mood changes (depression, anxiety).

How to stop steroids safely:

NEVER stop steroids abruptly. You must taper (slowly reduce the dose) over weeks to months, depending on how long you were on them.

• Your doctor will create a tapering schedule.
• If you've been on steroids >3 months, you may need an ACTH Stimulation Test to check if your adrenals have recovered.

How long does recovery take?

It can take 6-12 months (or longer) for the adrenal glands to fully "wake up" after long-term steroids.