Addison’s Disease symptoms include fatigue and weakness. Other symptoms are low blood pressure, dark patches on the skin (hyperpigmentation) and loss of appetite.
Untreated Addison’s can lead to a life-threatening situation called an adrenal crisis. This can be triggered by severe physical stress like an operation or serious illness like an infection.
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Addison’s disease results from the insufficient production of the steroid hormones cortisol and aldosterone by the outer layer of the adrenal gland. These hormones balance both water and energy in the body.
Symptoms develop slowly over time. They can also appear suddenly during a period of stress or an illness. This is called an adrenal crisis.
People with Addison’s disease often have dark skin patches along scars, skin folds, creases, and pressure points (such as the elbows, knees, and knuckles). They may also experience low blood sugar.
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Because symptoms of Addison’s disease come on gradually, they may be missed. But it is important to tell your health care provider if you always feel weak or lose weight without trying.
A comprehensive metabolic panel can check for problems related to Addison’s disease. Doctors can also order blood tests to look for antibodies to the adrenal glands and to measure the levels of cortisol and aldosterone in your body. A CT scan can reveal calcification of the adrenal glands. A tuberculosis test can be done, as up to 20% of cases of Addison’s disease are caused by tuberculosis.
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Weight loss is a common symptom of autoimmune Addison’s disease. This occurs because steroid medicines can make you lose muscle mass. They can also cause you to eat less, especially foods high in fat and calories, such as chips or baked goods.
Other symptoms of autoimmune Addison’s disease include salt craving, low levels of sugar (hypoglycemia), and a shortage of sodium (hyponatremia). People with autoimmune Addison’s disease are more likely to have another autoimmune condition, such as autoimmune thyroid disease or type 1 diabetes. They also have a higher risk of having a life-threatening adrenal crisis.
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Addison’s disease may be discovered when a routine blood test shows low levels of sodium and potassium. Other symptoms include a general loss of appetite, weight loss and changes in mood or behavior. Patches of dark skin (hyperpigmentation) around scars, skin creases and gums are also common with this condition.
This condition is caused when the adrenal glands on top of the kidneys stop making hormones. The symptoms can develop slowly over time and are vague, which can lead to a delay in diagnosis. It is usually caused by a mistaken attack by the immune system (autoimmune) but can also be triggered by tuberculosis or surgery.
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Diarrhea is a common symptom of Addison’s disease. It happens when the adrenal glands don’t produce enough glucocorticoids or aldosterone. These hormones control how the body uses food for energy and respond to stress, regulate blood pressure, and help balance the amount of water and salt in the body.
Other symptoms may include stomach pain, changes in mood, dark patches of skin (hyperpigmentation) and abnormal menstrual periods for those assigned female at birth. Rare genetic disorders and certain infections — including tuberculosis, HIV and sepsis — can also cause Addison’s Disease.
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The adrenal glands make hormones that help the body respond to stress, control blood pressure, and balance water and salt in the body. When you have Addison’s disease, you don’t have enough of these hormones.
The gradual onset and vagueness of early symptoms often leads to a delay in diagnosis. In many cases, a healthcare provider only discovers Addison’s disease when a medical emergency such as surgery or another illness causes your symptoms to worsen quickly.
People with Addison’s disease must take their medications regularly to prevent a sudden worsening of symptoms, known as an Addisonian crisis. They also need to carry a card that says they have Addison’s disease and know how to inject themselves with hydrocortisone in an emergency.
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Addison’s disease doesn’t usually improve, but you can control your symptoms with medicine to replace the hormones cortisol and aldosterone. You’ll need to take this medicine daily. You’ll also need to be aware that you might have a sudden worsening of symptoms, called an adrenal crisis.
Your GP will check your symptoms and examine you for areas of dark skin (hyperpigmentation). They’ll also do blood tests to measure levels of sodium, potassium and cortisol. This will help them diagnose Addison’s disease. They may also recommend an MRI scan.
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The adrenal glands, located on top of your kidneys, make hormones that help your body run normally. Addison’s disease causes them to stop making enough of these hormones. People with Addison’s disease take medicine to replace the missing hormones. Most people with Addison’s disease lead normal lives as long as they take their medication.
Doctors diagnose Addison’s disease with blood and urine tests and an ACTH stimulation test. They may also use imaging tests to look at your adrenal glands and other organs. You will need to take these medicines for life.