Guide To Endocrine System Diseases

Addison's Disease

Addison's disease is a rare disorder characterized by the lack of certain hormones in the body. In most Addison's disease patients, the adrenal glands produce deficient amounts of cortisol and aldosterone. Cortisol is a hormone that plays an important role in an individual's metabolism, immune system, and stress response. Aldosterone is a hormone-steroid that plays a critical role in multiple functions of the kidneys. Addison's disease occurs when an individual has sustained damage to their adrenal gland tissues. This damage could be the result of an autoimmune process or another mechanism. Symptoms that occur when the adrenal glands do not produce enough of these hormones include decreased appetite, low blood pressure, craving for salt, low blood sugar, abdominal pain, irritability, loss of body hair, depression, joint pain, low blood pressure, muscle pain, fatigue, weight loss, darkening of the skin, and sexual dysfunction. Addison's disease is diagnosed with the use of blood tests, ACTH stimulation test, CT scans, MRI scans, and insulin-induced hypoglycemia test.

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