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Adrenal insufficiency (Addison's)

Morbus Addisoni (insufficientia corticis glandulae suprarenalis) · Nedostatečnost nadledvin (Addisonova nemoc)

What it is

The adrenals stop making cortisol; stress becomes life-threatening.

Symptoms & signs

  • Fatigue
  • weight loss
  • dizziness on standing
  • salt craving
  • skin darkening
  • nausea
  • adrenal crisis with collapse

🚩 Get help if…

  • call 112 / 911 now Vomiting or diarrhoea and tablets won't stay down: inject hydrocortisone
  • call 112 / 911 now Confusion, fainting or severe weakness
  • see a doctor soon Fever or infection: follow sick-day rules and call the doctor
  • see a doctor soon Dizziness on standing that keeps getting worse

Where it strikes

Medical treatment

  • Hydrocortisone replacement
  • fludrocortisone
  • double doses when ill (sick-day rules)
  • emergency injection kit and bracelet
  • modified-release hydrocortisone (Plenadren) — EU-approved 2011 for adults

Natural & lifestyle

  • Sick-day rule education
  • salt liberalisation
  • no abrupt steroid stopping

Emerging & experimental

  • Adrenal cell regeneration
  • continuous subcutaneous hydrocortisone pumps

Alternative, off-label & anecdotal

Approaches used outside the guidelines, with what their supporters report and what testing has found so far.

  • Liquorice — mimics aldosterone and can help a little alongside treatment; dangerous as a substitute anecdotal / traditional
  • 'Adrenal fatigue' supplements — for a condition that does not exist; some contain hidden steroids anecdotal / traditional

ICD codes