RA
1
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Serious severity
· Endocrinology
Addison's Disease
Adrenal insufficiency · Cortisol deficiency
The adrenal glands stop making enough cortisol and aldosterone. Patients need daily steroid replacement and must double the dose during illness.
At a glance
- Prevalence
- Rare
- Typical age
- Any age
- Outlook
- Lifelong, manageable
- System
- Hormones
Reviewed by a verified Endocrinology doctor
What causes it
Causes
- Autoimmune adrenalitis
- Tuberculosis of adrenals
- Bilateral adrenal hemorrhage
- Genetic causes
How it feels
Symptoms & effects
- Profound fatigue
- Salt cravings, low BP
- Hyperpigmentation (knuckles, gums)
- Weight loss, nausea
- Adrenal crisis with vomiting
How it’s treated
Treatment & cure
- Daily hydrocortisone + fludrocortisone
- Double dose during illness or surgery
- Emergency injectable kit
- Annual electrolyte check
Staying ahead
Prevention
- Not preventable, but crises are
- Wear medical ID
- Educate family about emergency injection
- Keep extra meds when travelling
Do’s
- Carry steroid emergency card
- Triple dose during fever or vomiting
- Keep injectable hydrocortisone
- Brief travel partners
Don’ts
- Skip a single dose
- Wait out vomiting — go to ER
- Stop fludrocortisone in summer (need salt)
- Take diuretics without endocrinologist
See a doctor immediately if
Symptoms are sudden or severe, getting worse despite home care, or interfering with sleep, work or daily life. Don’t self-diagnose from the internet — book a verified clinician below.
Top specialists
See all endocrinology doctors Top 4 doctors for Addison's Disease
Ranked by patient rating, years of experience and review volume. All verified by MediConsult’s clinical team.
RS
2
2
BS
3
3
PP
4
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Disclaimer ·
This article is educational and reviewed by clinicians, but it cannot replace an in-person assessment.
Medication doses, prevention advice and treatment choices vary by person. Always confirm with a doctor before acting on anything here.