Diarrhea is less common, but may also occur. Affected individuals may have a poor appetite and unintentional weight loss and may develop progressive fatigue and muscle weakness. Muscle pain (myalgia), muscle spasms and joint pain may also occur. Dehydration can also affect individuals with Addison's disease.
These may include unexplained fatigue, poor appetite, chronic abdominal pain, or weight loss. Hyponatremia with or without hyperkalemia and/or hypotension can often be seen in Addison disease. Addisonian crisis is often manifested by severe dehydration, confusion, refractory hypotension, and shock.
Symptoms of Addison's disease include: Steadily worsening fatigue (most common symptom). Patches of dark skin (hyperpigmentation), especially around scars and skin creases and on your gums. Abdominal pain. Nausea and vomiting.
The short corticotropin test (also called the adrenocorticotropic hormone [ACTH] stimulation test) administered with a 250 μg dose is considered the gold standard test to confirm a diagnosis of primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI).
lack of energy or motivation (fatigue) muscle weakness. low mood. loss of appetite and unintentional weight loss.
Addison disease is usually associated with dysphagia, fatigue, weight loss, hypotension, abdominal pain, amenorrhea, nausea, vomiting, thin and brittle nail, scanty and body hair. Addison disease is classically seen with hyperpigmentation due to ACTH melanogenesis.
Addison's disease usually presents with non-specific symptoms like fatigue, nausea, vomiting, hyperpigmentation and generalized weakness. These symptoms are most often ignored or misinterpreted with other more common diseases.
A low sodium, high potassium or low cortisol level may indicate Addison's disease. You may need to see a hospital hormone specialist (endocrinologist) for your blood to be tested for the following: a low level of the hormone aldosterone. a high level of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH)
Addison's disease can develop if your immune system attacks your adrenal glands and severely damages your adrenal cortex. When 90% of the adrenal cortex is destroyed, your adrenal glands will not be able to produce enough of the steroid hormones cortisol and aldosterone.
The most common symptoms are fatigue, muscle weakness, loss of appetite, weight loss, and abdominal pain. Adrenal insufficiency can be caused by autoimmune disease or suddenly stopping steroid medicines used to treat other conditions, among other causes.
Addison's disease can be a life-threatening condition, but it is often not diagnosed until weeks or even months after the first vague symptoms present themselves.
Signs of over-replacement include raised blood pressure, thin skin, striae, easy bruising, glucose intolerance, hyperglycaemia and electrolyte abnormalities. Signs of under-replacement are the symptoms of Addison's disease persisting, ie fatigue, postural hypotension, nausea, weight loss, and salt craving.
Blood tests
A low sodium, high potassium or low cortisol level may indicate Addison's disease. You may need to see a hospital hormone specialist (endocrinologist) for your blood to be tested for the following: a low level of the hormone aldosterone. a high level of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH)
Women are more likely than men to develop Addison's disease. This condition occurs most often in people between the ages of 30 and 50, 2 although it can occur at any age, even in children.
Morning cortisol levels greater than 19 mcg/dL (reference range, 5-25 mcg/dL) are considered normal, and no further workup is required. Values less than 3 mcg/dL are diagnostic of Addison disease. Values in the range of 3-19 mcg/dL are indeterminate, and further workup is needed.
You hear about “adrenal fatigue” all the time — Addison's disease is like a super version of that. Fatigue, inflammation, depression, anxiety: These are documented symptoms of low cortisol. They are also early signs of Addisonian crisis, which can lead to cardiac arrest, shock, coma and ultimately death.
If you have Addison's disease, you should avoid or limit the amount you eat of these types of foods to help maintain a healthy weight. Research has shown that some foods can increase the risk of osteoporosis. These foods include processed meats, refined grains, soft drinks, fried foods, and desserts.
Emotional stress has been reported as the triggering factor of acute adrenal insufficiency in up to 1 in 6 patients developing an adrenal crisis. Examples of stressful events include bereavement, a life-altering diagnosis in a family member, and other acute stress at works, school, or home.
We're no longer at our best, and this in itself can take its toll on our health. A major part of the stress which affects those who have Addison's and adrenal insufficiency – and their loved ones – is often a sense of feeling out of control.
A blood test can find antibodies that are present in autoimmune Addison's disease. Antibodies are proteins made by your immune system to protect your body from bacteria or viruses. In autoimmune Addison's disease, the antibodies mistakenly attack the adrenal glands.
Mild symptoms may be seen only when a person is under physical stress. Other symptoms may include weakness, fatigue, and weight loss. You will need to take hormones to replace those that the adrenal glands are not making.
Symptoms tend to come and go and may include abdominal pain, dizziness, fatigue, weight loss, salt craving, and the darkening of the skin. 1 During periods of extreme stress or poor health, Addison's disease can trigger a rapid drop in cortisol levels and a potentially life-threatening event known as an adrenal crisis.