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Addison's disease is defined as a disorder in which the adrenal glands do not produce enough hormones

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Overview

Addison's disease, also called adrenal insufficiency, is an uncommon illness that occurs when the body doesn't make enough of certain hormones. In Addison's disease, the adrenal glands make too little cortisol and, often, too little of another hormone, aldosterone.

Addison's disease can affect anyone and can be life-threatening. Treatment involves taking hormones to replace those that are missing.

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Symptoms

Addison's disease symptoms usually happen slowly, often over months. The disease can move so slowly that people who have it may ignore the symptoms at first. Then a stress, such as illness or injury, makes symptoms worse.

Symptoms may include:

Extreme fatigue

Weight loss and loss of appetite

Areas of darkened skin

Low blood pressure, even fainting

Salt craving

Low blood sugar, also called hypoglycemia

Nausea, diarrhea or vomiting

Abdominal pain

Muscle and joint pain

Irritability

Depression

Body hair loss or sexual issues in some people

Acute adrenal failure, known as addisonian crisis

Sometimes the symptoms of Addison's disease appear suddenly. Acute adrenal failure can lead to life-threatening shock. Seek emergency treatment for the following:

Severe weakness

Confusion

Pain in the lower back or legs

Severe abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea, leading to dehydration

Reduced consciousness or delirium

Low blood pressure

When to see a doctor

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

Weight loss that doesn't happen on purpose

Nausea, vomiting or belly pain

Lightheadedness or fainting

Salt cravings

Muscle or joint pains

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Causes

Addison's disease is caused by damage to the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands sit just above the kidneys. As part of the endocrine system, they make hormones that affect almost every organ and tissue in the body. Damage to these glands results in too little of the hormone cortisol and, often, the hormone aldosterone.

The adrenal glands are made up of two sections. The interior, called the medulla, makes adrenaline-like hormones. The outer layer, called the cortex, makes a group of hormones called corticosteroids. Corticosteroids include:

Glucocorticoids. These hormones, including cortisol, affect the body's ability to turn food into energy. They also play a role in the immune system's inflammatory response and help the body respond to stress.

Mineralocorticoids. These hormones, including aldosterone, balance the body's sodium and potassium to keep blood pressure in a healthy range.

Androgens. In all people, the adrenal glands make small amounts of these sex hormones. They cause male sexual development. And they affect muscle mass, sex drive, known as libido, and a sense of well-being in all people.

Primary adrenal insufficiency

Sometimes, the outer layer of the adrenal glands, known as the cortex, is damaged. Then it can't make enough hormones, a condition called primary adrenal insufficiency. This is usually the result of an autoimmune disease, in which the body attacks itself. People with Addison's disease are more likely than are other people to have another autoimmune disease as well.

Other causes of adrenal gland failure may include:

Tuberculosis

Other infections of the adrenal glands

Spread of cancer to the adrenal glands

Bleeding into the adrenal glands

Secondary adrenal insufficiency

The pituitary gland makes a hormone called adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). ACTH in turn causes the adrenal cortex to make its hormones. Having pituitary tumors that aren't cancer, inflammation and pituitary surgery can cause the pituitary gland to make too little ACTH.

Too little ACTH can cause the adrenal glands to make too little glucocorticoids and androgens. This is called secondary adrenal insufficiency.

Most symptoms of secondary adrenal insufficiency are similar to those of primary adrenal insufficiency. However, people with secondary adrenal insufficiency don't have darkened skin and are less likely to have severe dehydration or low blood pressure. They're more likely to have low blood sugar.

A temporary cause of secondary adrenal insufficiency occurs when people who take corticosteroids, such as prednisone, to treat conditions such as asthma or arthritis, stop taking the medicine suddenly rather than tapering off.

Complications

Addisonian crisis. If you have untreated Addison's disease, you may develop an addisonian crisis as a result of stress on the body, such as injury, infection or illness. Typically, the adrenal glands make two or three times the usual amount of cortisol in response to physical stress. With adrenal insufficiency, not being able to increase the amount of cortisol made as a result of stress can lead to an addisonian crisis.

An addisonian crisis is a life-threatening situation that results in low blood pressure, low blood levels of sugar and high blood levels of potassium. It requires immediate medical care.

Other autoimmune diseases. People with Addison's disease often have related autoimmune diseases.

Prevention

Addison's disease can't be prevented, but there are ways to avoid an addisonian crisis:

Talk to your health care provider if you always feel tired or weak or are losing weight without trying. Ask about an adrenal shortage.

If you have been diagnosed with Addison's disease, ask your provider what to do when you're sick. You may need to learn how to increase your dose of corticosteroids.

If you become very sick, especially if you are vomiting and you can't take your medicine, go to an emergency room.

Some people with Addison's disease worry about serious side effects from hydrocortisone or prednisone. However, people with Addison's disease aren't as likely to get the side effects of high-dose glucocorticoids. That's because the dose prescribed replaces the amount that's missing.

If you take cortisone, be sure to follow up with your provider regularly to make sure your dose is not too high.

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Learn about this rare but serious disorder of the adrenal glands that's treated by replacing needed hormones.

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According to the article some symptoms do not present themselves until 90% of the Adrenal cortex is destroyed

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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. We spoke to one of the UK's top endocrinologists, Dr Mark Vanderpump, to find out what symptoms patients should be aware of.

What are the adrenal glands and what are they responsible for?

Located at the top of each kidney, the adrenal glands are triangular shaped hormone-producing glands which regulate several important functions of the human body. They secrete the following important hormones:

1. Glucocorticoids - these help regulate blood sugar, blood pressure, fat & protein metabolism and immunity. The most important glucocorticoid is cortisol. This is vital for life because it helps your body respond to stress, infections, physical accidents and surgery by:

Maintaining blood pressure

Maintaining the function of the heart and blood vessels

Slowing down your body's immune inflammatory response

Regulating your metabolism

2. Mineralocorticoids - these help to regulate the kidney and heart function. The most important of these is aldosterone which stimulates your kidneys to absorb sodium which regulates your water/salt balance.

3. Catecholamines - these help to regulate your "fight or flight" response

4. Adrenal androgens - these are precursors to sex hormones such as testosterone and oestrogen.

What is Addison's disease and what are the early symptoms?

Addison's disease is an adrenal gland disorder resulting in low cortisol levels, which can be fatal if left untreated. It was diagnosed by Dr Thomas Addison in 1855, who described a condition caused by tuberculosis infection of the adrenal glands. It is now usually caused by an autoimmune destruction of the adrenal glands. You may see this condition referred to as primary adrenal insufficiency.

Addison's disease can occur at any age, but most people are between 30 and 50 years when it develops - there are approximately 8,000 UK patients at any one time.

Unfortunately, the clinical signs and symptoms are slow at onset and don't appear until 90% of the adrenal cortex has been destroyed. During this time, the patient is likely to have experienced the following:

generalised weakness

low blood pressure when standing

chronic fatigue

weight loss (mostly from anorexia, partly from dehydration)

extreme sensitivity to drugs such as narcotics

being nauseated and even sick

craving for salty foods

cramps and pains in muscles and stomachs

spasmodic bouts of loose bowel movements or constipation

irregular or ceased periods

loss of axillary and pubic hair

How is Addison's disease diagnosed?

Because these are generalised symptoms which could each relate to many other conditions, it is believed that more than 60% of patients have seen two clinicians before Addison's disease is diagnosed. This can take weeks or even months after the vague symptoms first present themselves.

Unfortunately, many people don't get a diagnosis until they are in a life-threatening adrenal crisis brought on by stress caused by illness, trauma or surgery. At this point these signs and symptoms will be present:

dehydration, abnormally high blood pressure or shock which is out of proportion to the severity of current illness

nausea and vomiting with a history of weight loss and anorexia

severe abdominal pain mimicking acute disease or injury to an internal organ

unexplained lack of glucose in the blood sugars

unexplained fever

investigations including abnormally low sodium levels; higher than usual potassium levels, higher than usual calcium levels or higher than usual white blood cells called eosinophils

other autoimmune endocrine deficiencies such as hypothyroidism or type I diabetes, or family history of organ specific autoimmune endocrine diseases.

Once in adrenal failure there will additionally be skin pigmentation changes which manifest around:

the creases of the hands

gums and the inside of the mouth (which starts to look bluish)

recent scars

pressure points like elbows

armpits

How is Addison's disease treated?

For those in an adrenal crisis, urgent treatment with hydrocortisone injections and intravenous rehydration with fluids are essential.

For Addison's patients treatment involves some form of hormone replacement therapy. This is normally through the medication hydrocortisone which, taken in divided doses during the day, replaces the cortisol your body is not making. Usually fludrocortisone is added to treat the associated mineralocorticoid deficiency.

What is the outlook if you have Addison's disease?

People with Addison's can expect to have a normal life span; it is not infectious nor is it easily inherited. There is no need to adopt a special diet, nor are there any dietary restrictions - although a low salt diet is best avoided.

However, your treatment is life-long and it is essential that patients carry a warning card or Medic Alert bracelet to warn medical staff that steroid treatment is required in a medical emergency.

You can attain a normal level of fitness, but you may need an increased dose of medication if you are involved in challenging physical exercise. Even those who are very fit may experience severe fatigue from time to time, and you will need extra rest during these periods.

Finally, women can expect a healthy pregnancy and normal childbirth, with medical monitoring.

Dr Vanderpump treats a wide range of endocrine conditions at clinics across north and central London. To book a consultation with Dr Vanderpump, .

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Early warning signs of Addison's disease

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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. We spoke to one of the UK's top endocrinologists, Dr Mark Vanderpump, to find out what symptoms patients should be aware of.

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National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

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How do doctors treat adrenal insufficiency?

Your doctor will prescribe hormone medicines to replace the hormones that your adrenal glands aren't making. You'll need higher doses during times of physical stress.

Hormone replacement

Cortisol is replaced with a corticosteroid, most often hydrocortisone, which you take two or three times a day by mouth. Less often, doctors prescribe prednisone or dexamethasone.

If your adrenal glands aren't making aldosterone, you will take a medicine called fludrocortisone, which helps balance the amount of sodium and fluids in your body. People with secondary adrenal insufficiency usually make enough aldosterone, so they don't need to take this medicine.

Your doctor will adjust the dose of each medicine to meet your body's needs.

Treatment for adrenal crisis includes immediate IV injections of corticosteroids and large amounts of IV saline, a salt solution, with dextrose added. Dextrose is a type of sugar.

Treatment in special situations

Surgery

If you're having any type of surgery that uses general anesthesia, you may have treatment with IV corticosteroids and saline. IV treatment begins before surgery and continues until you're fully awake after surgery and can take medicine by mouth. Your doctor will adjust the "stress" dose as you recover until you're back to your pre-surgery dose.

If you're having surgery that uses general anesthesia, you'll need treatment with IV corticosteroids and saline.

Illness

Talk with your doctor about how to adjust your dose of corticosteroids during an illness. You will need to increase your dose if you have a high fever. Once you recover, your doctor will adjust your dose back to your regular, pre-illness level. You will need immediate medical attention if you have a severe infection or diarrhea, or are vomiting and can't keep your corticosteroid pills down. Without treatment, in an emergency room if necessary, these conditions can lead to an adrenal crisis.

Injury or other serious condition

If you have a severe injury, you may need a higher, "stress" dose of corticosteroids right after the injury and while you recover. The same is true if you have a serious health condition such as suddenly passing out or being in a coma. Often, you must get these stress doses intravenously. Once you recover, your doctor will adjust your dose back to regular, pre-injury level.

Pregnancy

If you become pregnant and have adrenal insufficiency, you'll take the same dose of medicine as you did before pregnancy. However, if nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy make it hard to take medicine by mouth, your doctor may need to give you corticosteroid shots. During delivery, treatment is similar to that of people needing surgery. Following delivery, your doctor will slowly decrease your dose, and you'll be back to your regular dose about 10 days after your baby is born.

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Treatment for Adrenal Insufficiency & Addison's Disease | NIDDK

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Your doctor will prescribe hormone medicines to replace the hormones that your adrenal glands aren't making. You'll need higher doses during times of physical stress. Cortisol is replaced with a corticosteroid, most often hydrocortisone, which you take two or three times a day by mouth. Less often, doctors prescribe prednisone or dexamethasone.

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What is Addison disease in a child?

Addison disease is when the adrenal glands don't make enough of two steroid hormones. The hormones are cortisol and aldosterone. Cortisol controls the body's metabolism, blocks inflammatory reactions, and affects the immune system. Aldosterone manages sodium and potassium levels. The adrenal glands sit on top of the kidneys. There is one gland on top of each kidney. Addison disease is fairly rare and may first appear at any age.

What causes Addison disease in a child?

The most common cause of Addison disease is damage to the adrenal glands caused by an autoimmune disease. Other cases of Addison disease are caused by the damage to the glands by any of these:

Cancer

Infection

An autoimmune problem

A rare genetic disease

In rare cases, Addison disease is passed down in a family.

Other causes of low corticosteroids can include:

Use of corticosteroid medicine. This includes prednisone. The medicines lower the amount of natural corticosteroids made by the adrenal glands.

Use of some medicines to treat fungal infection. These medicines may stop corticosteroids being made in the adrenal glands.

Which children are at risk for Addison disease?

A child is at risk for Addison disease if he or she has any of these:

An autoimmune disease

Cancer

Infection such as tuberculosis

Family history of the disease

History of using corticosteroid medicine

History of using anti-fungal medicine

What are the symptoms of Addison disease in a child?

Mild symptoms may only occur when a child is under physical stress. Symptoms may include:

Muscle weakness

Fatigue

Dizziness

Fast pulse

Dark skin, first seen on hands and face

Black freckles

Bluish-black color around the nipples, mouth, rectum, scrotum, or vagina

Weight loss

Dehydration

Loss of appetite

Intense salt craving

Muscle aches

Nausea

Vomiting

Diarrhea

Intolerance to cold

The symptoms of Addison disease can be like other health conditions. Make sure your child sees his or her healthcare provider for a diagnosis.

How is Addison disease diagnosed in a child?

The healthcare provider will ask about your child's symptoms and health history. He or she may also ask about your family's health history. He or she will give your child a physical exam. Your child may have blood tests. These are done to check corticosteroid and potassium levels.

How is Addison disease treated in a child?

The goal of treatment is to replace the hormones and to relieve the symptoms. Addison disease can be life-threatening. Because of this, treatment often starts right away with corticosteroid medicine. This medicine may be taken by mouth. Or it may be given by IV. It depends on how sick your child is. In most cases, corticosteroid medicine must be taken for life. Treatment may also include a medicine that helps manage the body's levels of sodium and potassium.

What are possible complications of Addison disease in a child?

If left untreated, Addison disease may lead to:

Severe abdominal pain

Extreme weakness

Low blood pressure

Kidney failure

Shock from dehydration

Severe complications are most likely to occur when the child is under physical stress.

Lack of adrenal hormones may also cause:

High blood levels of potassium, which affect the water and sodium levels in the body

Extreme sensitivity to the hormone insulin, which may lead to low blood sugar levels

Helping a child live with Addison disease

Addison disease is a life-long condition. It needs lifetime treatment. Stressful events such as surgery, infection, or injury can cause severe symptoms of Addison. This is because corticosteroids help the body fight infection and keep healthy during physical stress. Talk with your child's healthcare provider if your child needs surgery. Get medical care for your child right away if he or she:

Has vomiting or diarrhea

Has any other infection or illness

Your child should wear a medical alert bracelet or necklace. Managing your child's chronic illness can be stressful for all members of the family. Let your healthcare provider know if you, your child with Addison disease, or other family members need help dealing with the physical, emotional, and financial issues that the illness can cause.

When should I call my child's healthcare provider?

Call your child's healthcare provider if your child has any symptoms of Addison disease.

If your child has Addison disease, talk with your child's healthcare provider if your child needs surgery. Get medical care for your child right away if he or she:

Has vomiting or diarrhea

Has any other infection or illness

Key points about Addison disease in a child

Addison disease is when the adrenal glands don't make enough cortisol and aldosterone.

Addison disease is a life-long condition. It needs lifetime treatment.

The most common cause of Addison disease is damage to the adrenal glands caused by an autoimmune disease.

Mild symptoms of Addison disease may only appear when a child is under physical stress. Symptoms may include muscle weakness, fatigue, and dizziness.

Addison disease can be life-threatening. Because of this, treatment often starts right away with corticosteroid medicine.

If left untreated, Addison disease may lead to severe weakness, kidney failure, and shock.

Stressful events such as surgery, infection, or injury can cause severe symptoms of Addison. Get medical care for your child right away if he or she has vomiting or diarrhea or other illness.

Let your healthcare provider know if you, your child with Addison disease, or other family members need help dealing with the physical, emotional, and financial issues that the illness can cause.

Next steps

Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your child's healthcare provider:

Know the reason for the visit and what you want to happen.

Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.

At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis, and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new instructions your provider gives you for your child.

Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed and how it will help your child. Also know what the side effects are.

Ask if your child's condition can be treated in other ways.

Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean.

Know what to expect if your child does not take the medicine or have the test or procedure.

If your child has a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit.

Know how you can contact your child's provider after office hours. This is important if your child becomes ill and you have questions or need advice.

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Addison disease is when the adrenal glands don't make enough of two steroid hormones. The hormones are cortisol and aldosterone. Cortisol controls the body's metabolism, blocks inflammatory reactions, and affects the immune system. Aldosterone manages sodium and potassium levels. Addison disease is fairly rare and may first appear at any age.

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You can not prevent the disease itself but this article explains the steps to prevent an addisonian crisis.

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posted by: Rio Dianne

Fatigue, unintentional weight loss, general weakness, low blood pressure, and skin discoloration are just among the symptoms that may manifest on an individual candidate for Addison's disease. Addison's disease or also known as hypocortisolism and adrenal insufficiency refers to the disorder of the endocrine wherein the adrenal glands are not producing enough cortisol in the body. Thus when this happens, the body will have a hard time to regulate carbohydrates, protein, and fat breakdown, reducing the immune system's inflammatory response, balancing insulin, as well as counteracting stress. The condition is usually a rare disease of the adrenal gland alongside Cushing's syndrome. Some of the causes believed to bring about the condition are:

Autoimmune disorder like Grave's disease

Familial history

Tuberculosis

Chronic infections

Surgical removal of the adrenal glands

The symptoms given above are usually mistaken for other underlying conditions. So aside from those mentioned above, a sufferer may also experience salt cravings, nausea, joint and muscle pains, and decreased blood sugar level.

How to Cure Addison's Disease

Treatment of the disease actually revolves around replacement of cortisol or aldosterone which is not being produced properly by the body. Moreover, how to cure it also includes doses of saline and hydrocortisone intravenously to avoid life threatening conditions especially during Addisonian crisis.

Addison's Disease Prevention Tips

Usually, the goal of prevention is to stop Addisonian crisis which can be useful for patients suffering from the condition. For instance, lifestyle modification should be done through healthy diet and exercise to fight off infections as well as adrenal failure.

Some home remedies can also be done using herbal supplements like ginger which can aid in alleviating nausea and vomiting episodes. Herbal blends like Siberian Ginseng can help in maintaining balance as a result of stress. You can also opt for alternative treatments and other holistic approach such as yoga, acupuncture, and meditation to help control stressful instances that can trigger the adrenals. Moreover, as part of prevention plans, patients should keep with them an ID bracelet with their condition as well as the emergency treatment in cases of attacks.

And yes, this is how to prevent Addison's disease as well as its treatment. For further treatment and prevention, you should arrange as schedule with your doctor and ask the questions and how you can combat the disease.

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posted by: Rio Dianne Fatigue, unintentional weight loss, general weakness, low blood pressure, and skin discoloration are just among the symptoms that may manifest on an individual candidate for Addison's disease. Addison's disease or also known as hypocortisolism and adrenal insufficiency refers to the disorder of the endocrine wherein the adrenal glands are not producing enough cortisol in the body.

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Nursing Care Plan Related to the disease

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Nursing Care Plan Related to the disease

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Increased Infection Risk in Addison’s Disease and Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia: A Primary Care Database Cohort Study 

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Increased Infection Risk in Addison’s Disease and Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia: A Primary Care Database Cohort Study 

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Addisons Disease is a serious and life-threatening illness where the Adrenal glands fail to function resulting in insufficient amounts of Cortisol and Aldosterone in the body. Here are 15 facts about Addisons Disease to help you better understand the condition.

Addisons Disease 15 Facts About You Need To Know
*I use affiliate links in this post. If you buy anything from my links I will earn a small commission*
Addison's Disease is not easily diagnosed

Addison's disease is not usually diagnosed until at least 90% of the adrenal cortex has been destroyed. This can take months or years and is often referred to as primary adrenal insufficiency.

Symptoms are common to other diseases

Some of the symptoms of Addison's Disease include severe fatigue and weakness, loss of weight, pigmentation of the skin, dizziness and low blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, salt cravings, painful muscles, and joints. These symptoms are common with many illnesses and diseases, so can be missed or misdiagnosed easily.

Addison's was identified in 1855

Addisons Disease was first identified in the UK in 1855. The condition is named after Thomas Addison a doctor who first wrote about the illness whilst working at Guys Hospital in London.

Addison's Disease requires daily steroid therapy

People with Addisons Disease are steroid dependent. This means they are reliant upon taking cortisol medication every day. Cortisol is the "stress hormone" and without it, the body would go into adrenal crisis and eventually die.

Electrolyte imbalances are a real issue

If you have Addison's Disease, you will also need to take a medication called Fludrocortisone. This is prescribed to replace the aldosterone steroid normally produced by the adrenal glands. Without Aldosterone in the body, there would be an electrolyte imbalance leading to low blood pressure and dehydration.

Common illnesses cause even more stress on an Addison's patient

People on steroid replacement therapy will need to stress dose during times of illness such as infection, high temperature, and fever. Addisons patients will need to be aware of their wellbeing and any illness will need to be compensated to prevent Adrenal crisis.

Exercise can be dangerous

When someone with Addison's exercises in a way that is more physically demanding than usual, they will need to take a little extra steroid medication beforehand to help the body cope with the added stress.

Emotional stress can cause issues in an Addison's patient

Often sudden shocks such as being in a car crash, learning of the death of a loved one or a big argument can result in a need to increase Steroid coverage. Additional emotional stress can clear cortisol faster than usual and make an Addisons patient very unwell.

Something as simple as a dental procedure can be dangerous

Addisons Patients will always need extra steroid coverage during dental procedures, operations and certain hospital tests which place more than usual stress on the body.

The brain fog is real

Often when low in cortisol, patients with Addisons disease can develop brain fog and poor concentration levels. This can affect the ability to work out what medication is needed. Therefore it is important to always wear a medic alert band.

Adrenal crisis can be fatal

Addisons patients will need to carry an emergency injection with them in case of sudden adrenal crisis. Emergency injection can be life-saving. Many patients have died from an adrenal crisis and the condition should be taken seriously and can be life-threatening.

Stomach viruses can be deadly

If someone with Addison's has prolonged vomiting due to an illness or stomach bug, they will need an emergency injection and immediate hospital treatment.

Temperature changes can cause steroid needs to change

Some Addisonians will need to increase their fludrocortisone medication when on holiday or under extreme temperature climbs around 30˚ Celsius. this will help to avoid dehydration and becoming dangerously unwell.

Steroid dosage must be monitored closely

Too much steroid coverage on a regular basis can result in Cushing's Disease, weight gain, bone problems, diabetes, and a moon-shaped face. it is important for a patient to be on the correct dose so as to ensure they are not under or over replaced as both not enough and too much cortisol can have serious consequences.

Addison's Disease is still misunderstood

Many people have not heard of Addison's and it is not always familiar to some doctors or medical staff. It is always a good idea to carry a letter about the illness in case of emergency and just in case the people treating the illness do not understand the importance of emergency cortisol replacement.

I hope these 15 facts are useful and helpful. Please do share this post to help spread the word and awareness for Addisons Disease and Adrenal Insufficiency.

Angela x

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About Angela Milnes

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Addisons Disease 15 Facts You Need To Know

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Addisons Disease is a serious and life-threatening illness where the Adrenal glands fail to function resulting in insufficient amounts of Cortisol and Aldosterone in the body. Here are 15 facts about Addisons Disease to help you better understand the condition. *I use affiliate links in this post.

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Heritability of Addison's disease and prevalence of associated autoimmunity in a cohort of 112,100 Swedish twins

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Purpose The pathophysiology behind autoimmune Addison's disease (AAD) is poorly understood, and the relative influence of genetic and environmental factors remains unclear. In this study, we examined the heritability of AAD and explored disease-associated autoimmune comorbidity among Swedish twins.