Addison's disease
Evidence: Antibody
Names
Addison's disease
Adrenal Insufficiency
Autoimmune adrenalitis
Description
Addison’s disease is a hormonal disorder that occurs when the adrenal glands do not produce enough cortisol and aldosterone hormones. This can result in symptoms such as low blood sugar levels and blood pressure, mouth sores, weight loss, etc. A blood test, CT scan, or MRI scan can reveal the cause of this disorder. To treat this disorder, doctors will prescribe medicine that replaces the hormones and adjust the dose accordingly.
Patient Groups
Bloggers
Prevalence
US cases: 14,000 - 70,000 [Olafsson 2016, Hong 2017]
Typical Age of onset
40
Symptoms
Extreme fatigue and weakness
Weight loss
Decreased appetite
Darkening of the skin (hyperpigmentation)
Low blood pressure
Fainting
Salt craving
Decrease in heart rate
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
Nausea, Diarrhea, Vomiting
Abdominal pain
Mouth sores
Muscle and joint pain
Irritability and depression
Body hair loss
Sexual dysfunction
Sources: Mayo Clinic, Healthline
References
Famous people
John F. Kennedy (former US president)
Eunice Kennedy Shriver (American philanthropist)
Updated May 2024
