If Addison's disease is suspected, blood tests will be carried out to measure the levels of sodium, potassium and cortisol in your body. A low sodium, high potassium or low cortisol level may indicate Addison's disease.
Two criteria are necessary for diagnosis: (1) an increase in the baseline cortisol value of 7 mcg/dL or more and (2) the value must rise to 20 mcg/dL or more in 30 or 60 minutes, establishing normal adrenal glucocorticoid function.
Multiple conditions can mimic one or more symptoms of adrenal insufficiency (chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, hypothyroidism, fibromyalgia, chronic dyspepsia, etc.).
See a health care provider if you have common symptoms of Addison's disease, such as: Darkened areas of skin. Extreme loss of body water, also known as dehydration. Severe fatigue.
Diagnosis of Adrenal Insufficiency
Blood tests may show low sodium and high potassium levels and usually indicate that the kidneys are not working well. Doctors who suspect adrenal insufficiency measure cortisol levels, which may be low, and ACTH levels.
The adrenal glands are 2 small glands that sit on top of the kidneys. They produce 2 essential hormones: cortisol and aldosterone. The adrenal gland is damaged in Addison's disease, so it does not produce enough cortisol or aldosterone.
People with Addison's disease and most people who have had secondary adrenal insufficiency for a long time have little or no increase in cortisol levels.
Risk factors for the autoimmune type of Addison disease include other autoimmune diseases: Swelling (inflammation) of the thyroid gland that often results in reduced thyroid function (chronic thyroiditis) Thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone (overactive thyroid, Graves disease)
Tuberculosis (TB) is the most common cause of Addison's disease worldwide, but it's rare in the UK. TB is a bacterial infection that mostly affects the lungs but can also spread to other parts of your body. It can cause Addison's disease if it damages your adrenal glands.
The adrenal fatigue theory suggests that prolonged exposure to stress could drain the adrenals leading to a low cortisol state. The adrenal depletion would cause brain fog, low energy, depressive mood, salt and sweet cravings, lightheadedness, and other vague symptoms.
ACTH Stimulation Test This is the most specific test for diagnosing adrenal insufficiency. Blood cortisol levels are measured before and after a synthetic form of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), a hormone secreted from the anterior pituitary, is given by injection.
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.
With Addison's disease, your immune system attacks the outer portion of your adrenal glands (the adrenal cortex), where they make cortisol and aldosterone. Symptoms don't usually develop until 90% of the adrenal cortex has been damaged, which can take several months to years.
If Addison's disease is suspected, blood tests will be carried out to measure the levels of sodium, potassium and cortisol in your body. A low sodium, high potassium or low cortisol level may indicate Addison's disease.
Low levels of cortisol can cause weakness, fatigue, and low blood pressure. You may have more symptoms if you have untreated Addison's disease or damaged adrenal glands due to severe stress, such as from a car accident or an infection. These symptoms include sudden dizziness, vomiting, and even loss of consciousness.
Addison's disease can remain unrecognized until acute crisis and sometimes it may be misdiagnosed.
Autoimmune Addison disease affects the function of the adrenal glands, which are small hormone-producing glands located on top of each kidney. It is classified as an autoimmune disorder because it results from a malfunctioning immune system that attacks the adrenal glands.
Regardless of the specific terminology used, it is clear that some patients with Addison's disease have a disturbance in brain function and may develop a range of neuropsychiatric symptoms as a result.
This is called acute adrenal insufficiency, or Addisonian crisis. This can occur when your body is stressed. That can happen for many reasons, such as an illness, fever, surgery, or dehydration. You may also have a crisis if you stop taking your steroids or lower the amount of your steroids suddenly.
If you or someone you know with Addison's disease is having an adrenal crisis, they will need a hydrocortisone injection immediately, either injected by themselves or by a person who is with them. Then call 999 for an ambulance, saying it's an "adrenal crisis" or "Addisonian crisis".