About classic CAH
CAH, or congenital adrenal hyperplasia, is a rare, lifelong genetic condition involving the adrenal glands.
You may already know that CAH leads to hormone imbalances due to a lack of an enzyme called 21-hydroxylase (21-OH). Too little cortisol due to CAH can result in nausea, dizziness, and even adrenal crisis. But did you know that the inability to make cortisol and resulting low cortisol levels can also cause too many androgens?
When the adrenal glands can’t make cortisol, they end up using ingredients such as 17-OHP to make the hormones they can make—androgens.
In people with CAH:
- The body makes too little cortisol…
- …and too much ACTH and androgens.
- The salt-wasting type of CAH can mean too little aldosterone, too.
Know Your Labs
Download a printable guide that reviews the types of labs and screenings your doctor may order for CAH and why each is important.
Treating CAH with steroids alone is often a compromise between competing health risks
Steroids, in lower doses, can be used effectively to replace cortisol but often are not enough to treat excess ACTH and androgens.
Higher steroid doses can be used to manage excess ACTH and androgens; however, those high doses carry additional health risks.
Symptoms of excess ACTH and androgens may include:
- Early puberty
- Short stature
- Irregular periods
- Infertility
- Acne
- Excessive hair growth
- Mental health issues
- Testicular and ovarian adrenal rest tumors (TARTs and OARTs)
Based on two studies, 2 out of 3 people with CAH have poorly managed androgen levels
Risks of high-dose steroids may include:
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Low bone density (osteoporosis)
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Memory issues
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Heart disease
A separate study found that
1 out of 3 young adults with CAH is already being treated
for conditions associated with taking high-dose steroids
CRENESSITY can address 2 treatment goals for people with classic CAH: maintaining or lowering androgen levels and enabling lower steroid doses.
Is CRENESSITY
right for you?
Reach out to your child’s doctor to find out if CRENESSITY might be right for you. Create a customized guide to help start the conversation—whether at an appointment or via phone, email, or patient portal.
Want to
learn more?
Sign up to receive information and resources about how CRENESSITY can help manage CAH.