Addison’s disease, a rare disorder, develops when the adrenal glands do not produce enough of the hormone cortisol. Sometimes, the adrenal glands also don’t produce enough of the aldosterone hormone. Includes list of Addison’s disease symptoms.
There are several causes of Addison’s disease that primarily affect the adrenal glands’ ability to produce the hormone cortisol. Learn the different conditions that can cause Addison’s disease.
To diagnose Addison’s disease, your doctor will run exams and tests. You’ll have blood drawn to test certain hormone levels. These blood tests may be combined with CT scans of your brain and abdomen to view the hypothalamus and pituitary gland.
Treatment of Addison’s disease involves replacing the hormones the body is unable to secrete or produce in sufficient quantity. Read about medications you may need to take and what to do in an addisonian crisis.
