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Addison's disease

Addison's disease, also known as primary adrenal insufficiency or hypoadrenalism, is a rare disorder of the adrenal glands.

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.

About 8,400 people in the UK have Addison's disease. It can affect people of any age, although it's most common between the ages of 30 and 50. It's also more common in women than men.

Symptoms of Addison's disease

Early-stage symptoms of Addison's disease are similar to other more common health conditions, such as depression or flu. 

You may experience:

  • lack of energy or motivation (fatigue)
  • muscle weakness
  • low mood
  • loss of appetite and unintentional weight loss
  • increased thirst

Over time, these problems may become more severe and you may experience further symptoms, such as dizziness, fainting, cramps and exhaustion.

You may also develop small areas of darkened skin, or darkened lips or gums.

Although these symptoms are not always caused by Addison's disease, you should see a GP so they can be investigated.

Why it happens

The condition is usually the result of a problem with the immune system, which causes it to attack the outer layer of the adrenal gland (the adrenal cortex), disrupting the production of the steroid hormones aldosterone and cortisol.

It's not clear why this happens, but it's responsible for 70% to 90% of cases in the UK.

Other potential causes include conditions that can damage the adrenal glands, such as tuberculosis (TB), although this is uncommon in the UK.

Treating Addison's disease

Addison's disease is treated with medication to replace the missing hormones. You'll need to take the medication for the rest of your life.

With treatment, symptoms of Addison's disease can largely be controlled. Most people with the condition have a normal lifespan and are able to live an active life with few limitations.

But many people with Addison's disease also find they must learn to manage bouts of fatigue, and there may be associated health conditions, such as diabetes or an underactive thyroid.

People with Addison's disease must be constantly aware of the risk of a sudden worsening of symptoms, called an adrenal crisis.

This can happen when the levels of cortisol in your body fall significantly.

An adrenal crisis is a medical emergency. If left untreated, it can be fatal.

If you or someone you know has Addison's disease and is experiencing severe symptoms, dial 999 for an ambulance.

Information about you

If you have Addison's disease, your clinical team will pass information about you on to the National Congenital Anomaly and Rare Diseases Registration Service (NCARDRS).

This helps scientists look for better ways to prevent and treat this condition. You can opt out of the register at any time.

Find out more about the register

HealthUnlocked contains information from NHS Digital, licensed under the current version of the Open Government Licence

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33,139 public posts

Addisons disease

I’ve just had my urine cortisol test results back they’ve said contact my gp ASAP as it’s suggestive of Addisons. Results 39 nmol Range 55-138 nmol Again I’ve had to pay to get this testing done as they’ve used lockdown as an excuse not to test me even though the private endo recommended it based on
I’ve just had my urine cortisol test results back they’ve said contact my gp ASAP as it’s suggestive of Addisons. Results 39 nmol Range 55-138 nmol Again I’ve had to pay to get this testing done as they’ve used lockdown as an excuse not to test me even though the private endo recommended it based on
Hidden
in Pernicious Anaemia Society

To sweat or not to sweat......

Hi all, This hot weather takes my anxiety through the roof as with my Addisons Disease my body doesnt know how to cool down when I am hot and I end up a sweaty mess wherever I go. Odd comments like , ' oh is it raining',come to mind but I cant really blame people as it looks like that.
Hi all, This hot weather takes my anxiety through the roof as with my Addisons Disease my body doesnt know how to cool down when I am hot and I end up a sweaty mess wherever I go. Odd comments like , ' oh is it raining',come to mind but I cant really blame people as it looks like that.
CautiousK
in Low-Carb High-Fat (LCHF)

PMR- a plain English description

EileenH https://patient.info/forums/discuss/pmr-prednisone-addisons-disease-567106
EileenH https://patient.info/forums/discuss/pmr-prednisone-addisons-disease-567106
ignatz
in PMRGCAuk
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Ceptava Mycophenolic acid

Dear all Is anyone taking this above medication for lupus or RA ? Please can anyone give me any experience of using this medication ? I was given Mycohenolate leaflet by rheumatologist last Thursday . Yet my the pharmacist at the hospital had given me the Mycophenolic acid ? I enclose a photo of
Dear all Is anyone taking this above medication for lupus or RA ? Please can anyone give me any experience of using this medication ? I was given Mycohenolate leaflet by rheumatologist last Thursday . Yet my the pharmacist at the hospital had given me the Mycophenolic acid ? I enclose a photo of
Willow1414
in LUPUS UK

Secondary Adrenal Insufficiency

I was diagnosed with Secondary Adrenal insufficiency a few year ago due to long term use of Prednisolone. I am at present taking 5mgs of Pred. but as my recent cortisol level was 117 which is low , my Endo want's me to take Hydrocortisone 3 time a day 10mgs 5mgs and 5mgs. but to stay on
I was diagnosed with Secondary Adrenal insufficiency a few year ago due to long term use of Prednisolone. I am at present taking 5mgs of Pred. but as my recent cortisol level was 117 which is low , my Endo want's me to take Hydrocortisone 3 time a day 10mgs 5mgs and 5mgs. but to stay on
bowler
in Thyroid UK

Osteopathic treatment

Has anyone had osteopathic treatment with RA? Is it safe? I'm experiencing lower back pain due to my changed walking thanks to a flare in my feet & someone suggested it, thanks.
Has anyone had osteopathic treatment with RA? Is it safe? I'm experiencing lower back pain due to my changed walking thanks to a flare in my feet & someone suggested it, thanks.
SarahJane926
in NRAS

UPDATE synachten test - morning not possible

Hello everyone The clinic only opens at 1.30pm so 1.45 it is. Also no way to ask for the test draw prior to injection. Not much more I can do, just hope the test will be good enough. Thank you all for your replies :) I was under the impression that the SST test needed to be done early morning and
Hello everyone The clinic only opens at 1.30pm so 1.45 it is. Also no way to ask for the test draw prior to injection. Not much more I can do, just hope the test will be good enough. Thank you all for your replies :) I was under the impression that the SST test needed to be done early morning and
OllyTojo
in Thyroid UK

Short Synachten test imminent - any advice?

Firstly, thank you all to all the help so far. I am learning so much. I spoke to my NHS endocrinologist last week as I am feeling so unwell and my morning cortisol 9am test result was 267 (150 - 600 but only above 400 rules out adrenal insufficiency). He has referred me for an SST. I had one in 2015
Firstly, thank you all to all the help so far. I am learning so much. I spoke to my NHS endocrinologist last week as I am feeling so unwell and my morning cortisol 9am test result was 267 (150 - 600 but only above 400 rules out adrenal insufficiency). He has referred me for an SST. I had one in 2015
OllyTojo
in Thyroid UK

Cortizol and Hasimoto.

hi !!! I want to thank you all for providing me with useful info and your experiences on hypothyroidism. I will translate my endocrinologist' s email I ve just received. ''Examinations confirm the presence of Hashimoto's thyroiditis, without it appearing to require thyroxine treatment.. I am worried
hi !!! I want to thank you all for providing me with useful info and your experiences on hypothyroidism. I will translate my endocrinologist' s email I ve just received. ''Examinations confirm the presence of Hashimoto's thyroiditis, without it appearing to require thyroxine treatment.. I am worried
TomPlatz
in Thyroid UK

Why does Endo say ACTH test is not relevant wouldn't a low result indicate secondary Addisons?

I recently had a SST due to low cortisol. The endo said my results were good and discharged me without discussing them with me. I wrote to him to ask for ACTH blood test because they didnt test this when i had my SST but he has refused. See attached letter. I really don’t understand this response particularly
I recently had a SST due to low cortisol. The endo said my results were good and discharged me without discussing them with me. I wrote to him to ask for ACTH blood test because they didnt test this when i had my SST but he has refused. See attached letter. I really don’t understand this response particularly
Triciatextiles
in Thyroid UK

Cortisol saliva

One year ago I tested my saliva and was dx with Addison and put on HC I put on two stone of weight and decided to come off and retest. My previous test my morning 8am range was 3.62 with the rest low. This time my results are up and down. Can someone help me explain what could be going on thanks! X
One year ago I tested my saliva and was dx with Addison and put on HC I put on two stone of weight and decided to come off and retest. My previous test my morning 8am range was 3.62 with the rest low. This time my results are up and down. Can someone help me explain what could be going on thanks! X
Yennn
in Thyroid UK

Biologic anxiety

Hi folks, I hope you're all well. I've been on triple therapy now (methotrexate + sulfasalazine + hydroxychloroquine: max dose of all three) for the best part of a year now, and whilst trying to slowly reduce my prednisolone down 0.5mg a week (as I'd been recommended) experienced a big flare-up of symptoms
Hi folks, I hope you're all well. I've been on triple therapy now (methotrexate + sulfasalazine + hydroxychloroquine: max dose of all three) for the best part of a year now, and whilst trying to slowly reduce my prednisolone down 0.5mg a week (as I'd been recommended) experienced a big flare-up of symptoms
Smelliott
in NRAS

9am cortisol blood test - awake at 5am

I’m due to have my bloods today which includes 9am cortisol. Annoyingly today a wake at 5am, instead of my usual 7.30am. Is this going to skew my 9am cortisol and any other tests like thyroid?
I’m due to have my bloods today which includes 9am cortisol. Annoyingly today a wake at 5am, instead of my usual 7.30am. Is this going to skew my 9am cortisol and any other tests like thyroid?
Dk123
in Thyroid UK

Parkinsonism or not?

I was diagnosed with SCA over 12 years ago and know that I have SCA 14. After a car accident I started to experience extreme tremors. It took nearly 2 years to find out that I also have Parkinson's disease. Is anyone else out there with Parkinson's and Ataxia? I'm finding that most of my medication
I was diagnosed with SCA over 12 years ago and know that I have SCA 14. After a car accident I started to experience extreme tremors. It took nearly 2 years to find out that I also have Parkinson's disease. Is anyone else out there with Parkinson's and Ataxia? I'm finding that most of my medication
CrazyHarry
in Ataxia UK

Reducing Pred and side effects

Hello all you lovely people and a belated Happy New Year. I haven’t been on here for ages, but don’t know what to do really. My GP is slowly weaning me off the Pred. I’ve had no problems at all, but just a few days after reducing from 3 mg to 2, I started to feel pretty grotty: head pain, nausea, and
Hello all you lovely people and a belated Happy New Year. I haven’t been on here for ages, but don’t know what to do really. My GP is slowly weaning me off the Pred. I’ve had no problems at all, but just a few days after reducing from 3 mg to 2, I started to feel pretty grotty: head pain, nausea, and
Doraflora
in PMRGCAuk

Why would you order a Aldotesterone/ Renin Ratio labtest? Hashimotos hypothyroid & Adrenal Insufficiency

Hello, I have Addison’s disease ( Primary Adrenal Insufficiency) ,Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism, & a pituitary swelling abnormality ( no tumor). I have recently seen a new endocrinologist. He ordered a group of tests with an Aldosterone/ Renin Ratio labtest. Why would he order this test? See my results
Hello, I have Addison’s disease ( Primary Adrenal Insufficiency) ,Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism, & a pituitary swelling abnormality ( no tumor). I have recently seen a new endocrinologist. He ordered a group of tests with an Aldosterone/ Renin Ratio labtest. Why would he order this test? See my results
Runner95
in Thyroid UK

Feeling rough

I have just had thyroxine increased from 125to 150 and have had stomach problems since . Is this normal. I also have RA and other problems but have lost 6 1/2 ,stone in a year. Told it was due to disease activity. Never seen endocrinologist only gp
I have just had thyroxine increased from 125to 150 and have had stomach problems since . Is this normal. I also have RA and other problems but have lost 6 1/2 ,stone in a year. Told it was due to disease activity. Never seen endocrinologist only gp
kathgallagher
in Thyroid UK

Hydro Cortisone questions.

Hi Guys, I'm planning to take HC as I do not tolerate even a small quantity of NDT, my ft3/4 and t4 coming very high after taking only a fraction of the capsule. As in the book of dr peatfield, i have tried adrenal cortex, to which i built tolerance somehow im pretty sure, as well as pregnenolone, which
Hi Guys, I'm planning to take HC as I do not tolerate even a small quantity of NDT, my ft3/4 and t4 coming very high after taking only a fraction of the capsule. As in the book of dr peatfield, i have tried adrenal cortex, to which i built tolerance somehow im pretty sure, as well as pregnenolone, which
FitnessMike
in Thyroid UK

Treating Low Cortisol

Hi again all, I saw someone mention that ideally one would treat adrenals before thyroid. I took the saliva test a while ago which showed low morning cortisol and OK DHEA. I’ve read in STTM / Dr S Myhill site and on other site and book that a small amount of hydrocortisone can help with this. For
Hi again all, I saw someone mention that ideally one would treat adrenals before thyroid. I took the saliva test a while ago which showed low morning cortisol and OK DHEA. I’ve read in STTM / Dr S Myhill site and on other site and book that a small amount of hydrocortisone can help with this. For
cazmania7
in Thyroid UK

Thyroid results

If anyone could give me some insight into these blood test results, I would be very thankful. pB TSH * 14.73 mU/L [ 0.30 - 4.20 ] * high pB Free T4 * 11.5 pmol/L [ 12.0 - 22.0 ] * low I currently taking Metavive
If anyone could give me some insight into these blood test results, I would be very thankful. pB TSH * 14.73 mU/L [ 0.30 - 4.20 ] * high pB Free T4 * 11.5 pmol/L [ 12.0 - 22.0 ] * low I currently taking Metavive
alex232
in Thyroid UK
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