Patient education: Addison disease (The Basics)

What is Addison disease? — Addison disease is a condition that can cause people to have low blood pressure, lose weight, and feel tired and weak.

Addison disease occurs when the body's adrenal glands do not work normally. The adrenal glands are small organs that are located on top of each kidney (figure 1). Normally, the adrenal glands make substances called hormones. These hormones do many things in the body, such as help keep blood sugar levels and blood pressure normal. In people with Addison disease, the adrenal glands do not work properly and do not make enough hormones. This causes symptoms, which sometimes can become severe and even life-threatening.

What are the symptoms of Addison disease? — Most people with Addison disease have the following symptoms:

●Feeling tired or weak

●Weight loss and loss of appetite

Other common symptoms can include:

●Darkening of the skin, especially on the face, neck, and back of the hands

●Nausea and vomiting

●Feeling lightheaded or dizzy when standing or sitting up

●Muscle and joint pain

●Craving salt

●Losing hair from the armpits and pubic area (in females)

Sometimes, a person's symptoms can become severe and life-threatening. Doctors call this "adrenal crisis." Symptoms of adrenal crisis can include:

●Fever and weakness

●Nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain

●Confusion

●Passing out, or going into shock

Adrenal crisis usually happens when a person's body is under stress, such as from an infection or injury. It can also happen if a person has not been taking their medicine regularly.

Is there a test for Addison disease? — Yes. Your doctor or nurse might order different tests to check for Addison disease. These involve checking your cortisol levels, which can be done with a blood test. Cortisol is an important hormone that the adrenal glands normally make. In people with Addison disease, the glands don't make enough of it.

Sometimes, your doctor or nurse will give you a hormone shot, then measure the cortisol level in your blood 30 or 60 minutes later.

How is Addison disease treated? — Addison disease is treated with hormone medicines to replace the hormones that are missing in the body. People usually need 2 different medicines, which must be taken every day for the rest of their lives.

Let your doctor or nurse know if you have any side effects from the medicines or develop any new symptoms.

Your doctor might also prescribe emergency medicine that you should keep with you at all times in case you have adrenal crisis. This medicine comes as a shot. If you think that you are having adrenal crisis, use the medicine and then call for an ambulance (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1). Your doctor might recommend that you also use this emergency medicine if you:

●Have a major injury (for example, if you break a bone or lose a lot of blood)

●Pass out

●Vomit up your daily medicine

What if I get sick or know that I am going to have surgery? — If you get sick or know that you are going to have surgery, talk with your doctor or nurse. For example, if you are vomiting and unable to keep your medicines down, let your doctor or nurse know. When people are sick or have surgery, their body might need more adrenal hormones than usual. Your doctor or nurse will tell you if you need to increase your medicines, and how and when to do it.

What if I want to get pregnant? — If you want to try to get pregnant, talk with your doctor or nurse. Most people with Addison disease are able to get pregnant and have a baby. But your doctor will want to follow you closely. They might make changes in your medicine dose during the pregnancy.

What will my life be like? — Most people with Addison disease lead an active and normal life. But to stay as healthy as possible, you can:

●Follow your doctor's instructions about treatment.

●Carry an emergency medicine shot with you, especially if you travel to areas that are not near a hospital.

●Learn about the symptoms of adrenal crisis so that you know when to treat it or get help.

●Wear a medical alert bracelet, and carry an emergency medical card.

More on this topic

Patient education: Cushing syndrome (The Basics)
Patient education: Nausea and vomiting in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Adrenal crisis (The Basics)
Patient education: Cortisol test (The Basics)

Patient education: Adrenal insufficiency (Beyond the Basics)