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Addison's disease

Evidence: Antibody

Addison's disease -Autoimmune Registry

Names

Description

Addison's disease
Adrenal Insufficiency
Autoimmune adrenalitis

Addison’s disease is a hormonal disorder that occurs when the adrenal glands do not produce enough of certain hormones. 

Prevalence

US cases: 14,000 - 70,000 [Olafsson 2016, Hong 2017

Typical Age of onset

40

Symptoms

  • Extreme fatigue and weakness

  • Weight loss

  • Decreased appetite

  • Darkening of the skin (hyperpigmentation)

  • Low blood pressure

  • Fainting

  • Salt craving

  • Decrease in heart rate

  • Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)

  • Nausea, Diarrhea, Vomiting

  • Abdominal pain

  • Mouth sores

  • Muscle and joint pain

  • Irritability and depression

  • Body hair loss

  • Sexual dysfunction

Sources:  Mayo Clinic, Healthline

References

 

Famous people

Mayo Clinic
Medscape
Healthline
OrphaNet

John F. Kennedy (former US president)
Eunice Kennedy Shriver (American philanthropist)

Updated Dec. 2022