Addison's Disease
What is Addison's disease?
Addison's disease is a rare disorder that happens when your adrenal glands stop making enough of certain hormones. Your adrenal glands sit on top of your kidneys and produce important hormones like cortisol and aldosterone. These hormones help your body respond to stress, regulate blood pressure, and maintain energy levels.
When you have Addison's disease, your body struggles with daily tasks that require these hormones. The condition develops slowly over months or years, which means symptoms can be easy to miss at first. Most cases happen because the immune system mistakenly attacks the adrenal glands, though infections and other causes can also damage them.
Without treatment, Addison's disease can become life threatening during times of physical stress or illness. The good news is that hormone replacement therapy can help most people with Addison's disease live normal, active lives. Early detection through blood testing makes a real difference in managing this condition.
Symptoms
- Extreme fatigue and weakness that gets worse over time
- Weight loss and decreased appetite
- Darkening of the skin, especially on scars, skin folds, and pressure points
- Low blood pressure that causes dizziness when standing
- Salt cravings and increased thirst
- Muscle or joint pain
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Irritability and depression
- Low blood sugar levels
- Loss of body hair or sexual dysfunction
Symptoms often develop slowly and can be vague, making them easy to dismiss. Some people go months or years before getting diagnosed because symptoms mimic other common conditions.
Concerned about Addison's disease? Check your levels.
Screen for 1,200+ health conditions
Causes and risk factors
Most cases of Addison's disease happen when the immune system attacks and damages the adrenal glands. This autoimmune process destroys the outer layer of the adrenal gland where cortisol and aldosterone are made. Tuberculosis was once the leading cause worldwide, but autoimmune disease now accounts for about 70 percent of cases in developed countries. Other causes include chronic infections, cancer that spreads to the adrenal glands, and bleeding into the adrenal glands.
Certain factors increase your risk of developing Addison's disease. People with other autoimmune conditions like type 1 diabetes, thyroid disease, or celiac disease face higher risk. The condition can run in families, though it remains relatively rare overall. Taking certain medications that suppress adrenal function or stopping steroid medications too quickly can also lead to adrenal insufficiency. Women are slightly more likely than men to develop Addison's disease.
How it's diagnosed
Doctors diagnose Addison's disease using blood tests that measure hormone levels. An ACTH test, also called adrenocorticotropic hormone test, checks how your pituitary gland and adrenal glands are working together. In Addison's disease, ACTH levels are usually high because your pituitary gland tries to signal the damaged adrenal glands to make more hormones. Doctors also measure cortisol levels, which are typically low in people with this condition.
Rite Aid offers ACTH and cortisol testing as an add-on to our preventive health panel. These tests help identify adrenal gland problems early, before symptoms become severe. Your doctor may also order additional tests like an ACTH stimulation test, which checks how your adrenal glands respond when given synthetic ACTH. Electrolyte tests can show low sodium and high potassium, which are common in Addison's disease.
Treatment options
- Hormone replacement therapy with hydrocortisone or prednisone to replace cortisol
- Fludrocortisone medication to replace aldosterone and help maintain blood pressure
- Increasing salt intake, especially during hot weather or exercise
- Eating regular meals to maintain stable blood sugar levels
- Carrying emergency injection kits for adrenal crisis situations
- Wearing medical alert identification at all times
- Adjusting medication doses during illness, injury, or surgery
- Working closely with an endocrinologist to monitor hormone levels
- Managing stress through adequate rest and relaxation techniques
- Staying hydrated and avoiding situations that cause extreme physical stress
Need testing for Addison's disease? Add it to your panel.
- Simple blood draw at your nearest lab
- Results in days, not weeks
- Share results with your doctor
Frequently asked questions
About 70 percent of Addison's disease cases happen when the immune system mistakenly attacks the adrenal glands. This autoimmune reaction damages the outer layer of the adrenal gland where important hormones are made. Other causes include tuberculosis, fungal infections, cancer, and bleeding into the adrenal glands. Rarely, genetic disorders or surgical removal of the adrenal glands can cause the condition.
Addison's disease cannot be cured, but it can be managed successfully with lifelong hormone replacement therapy. Most people with Addison's disease take daily medications to replace cortisol and sometimes aldosterone. With proper treatment and monitoring, people with this condition can live normal, active lives. The key is working with your doctor to find the right medication doses and adjusting them during times of stress or illness.
Addison's disease is a recognized medical condition where the adrenal glands are damaged and cannot produce enough hormones. Adrenal fatigue is not a recognized medical diagnosis and lacks scientific evidence. Addison's disease can be diagnosed with specific blood tests showing low cortisol and high ACTH levels. The symptoms of Addison's disease are real and can become life threatening without treatment, while adrenal fatigue remains controversial in medical literature.
An adrenal crisis is a life threatening emergency that happens when cortisol levels drop dangerously low. Symptoms include severe weakness, confusion, pain in the lower back or legs, vomiting, and loss of consciousness. This can occur during illness, injury, surgery, or if you miss medication doses. Anyone with Addison's disease should carry an emergency injection kit and know when to use it.
The ACTH test is one of the key blood tests used to diagnose Addison's disease. In this condition, ACTH levels are typically high because the pituitary gland tries to signal the damaged adrenal glands. Doctors also measure cortisol levels, which are usually low in people with Addison's disease. Additional tests may include an ACTH stimulation test and electrolyte panels to check sodium and potassium levels.
Yes, people with Addison's disease need lifelong hormone replacement therapy because the adrenal glands cannot repair themselves. You will take medications daily to replace the hormones your body can no longer make on its own. Missing doses can be dangerous, so consistency is important. Your doctor will adjust your medication doses based on blood tests, symptoms, and life circumstances like illness or surgery.
Physical stress from illness, injury, or surgery can trigger serious problems in people with Addison's disease. During stressful times, your body needs more cortisol than usual, but damaged adrenal glands cannot meet this demand. This is why people with Addison's disease often need to increase their medication doses during illness or other stressful events. Always talk to your doctor about how to adjust medications during times of physical stress.
People with Addison's disease should eat regular, balanced meals to maintain stable blood sugar levels. Increasing salt intake is often recommended because low aldosterone affects sodium regulation. Include protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates at each meal. Stay well hydrated, especially during hot weather or exercise, and carry snacks to prevent low blood sugar.
Addison's disease can run in families, though most cases are not directly inherited. Having a family member with autoimmune diseases like type 1 diabetes, thyroid disease, or Addison's disease may increase your risk. Rarely, genetic conditions that affect adrenal gland development can cause the disease in children. If you have a family history of autoimmune conditions, mention this to your doctor.
Most people with Addison's disease need blood tests every 6 to 12 months to monitor hormone levels and electrolytes. Your doctor may order more frequent testing if you are adjusting medication doses or experiencing symptoms. Regular monitoring helps ensure your treatment is working properly and your hormone levels stay in a healthy range. Rite Aid offers ACTH testing as an add-on to help you track your adrenal health.