The Basics Of Addison's Disease

Signs & Symptoms Of Addison’s Disease

Signs and symptoms of Addison’s disease progress quite slowly and include chronic fatigue, abdominal pain, weakness, loss of appetite and weight loss, low blood pressure (hypertension), dizziness, blood sugar abnormalities (hypoglycemia), nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, moodiness and depression, and constant cravings for salty foods. Darkening, blotchy, and freckling of the skin is a common sign, as it occurs most noticeably on the forehead, knees, elbows, around scars, skin folds, creases, such as on the palms, and even on the gums. An Addisonian crisis can occur as well, which is when a physically stressful event happens, such as another illness, surgery, or accident and worsens symptoms already present. One in four patients with Addison’s disease experience this, and this is usually the first time they realize they are ill. Symptoms of an adrenal crisis include vomiting, low blood pressure, lower back pain, loss of consciousness, fever, weakness, and fatigue, and multiple organ failure, including kidney, if there is a decrease in blood flow.

Reaching A Diagnosis

Considering the symptoms of Addison’s are vague, non-specific, and can indicate numerous other conditions, Addison’s disease can be difficult to diagnose. The simplest ways to diagnose it is through blood tests, urine tests, and medical imaging. Often, it is first detected through routine blood tests to check for sodium, potassium, and white blood cell levels. A doctor will also check for hyperpigmentation, or darkening of the skin and gums, which often indicate a patient is suffering from the disease. The most definitive way to diagnose the condition is to measure hormone levels in the blood before and after giving a patient adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), as it is a hormone in the brain that increases the amount of cortisol being produced by the adrenal glands. By measuring ACTH levels, it can help doctors distinguish whether the illness is caused by an issue in the adrenal gland or the brain.