Addison's disease: Difference between revisions

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==Background==
==Background==
{{Addison's background}}
[[File:Gray1120-adrenal glands.png|thumb|Posterior view of the adrenal glands (colored) in relation to the viscera and large vessels of the abdomen (thoracic vertebra removed).]]
[[File:HPA axis combined.jpg|thumb|Types of adrenal insufficiency (primary, secondary, and tertiary) compared to normal physiology. In its normal state, the hypothalamus secretes corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) to induce the pituitary gland to secrete adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) to induce the adrenal gland to secrete cortisol. Cortisol then exerts negative feedback by inhibiting the secretion of CRH and ACTH in the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, respectively.]]
*Primary [[adrenal insufficiency]]
*Autoimmune disease (70-90%)
**[[Tuberculosis]] previously most common cause
**Other causes include infectious, metastatic cancer, [[lymphoma]], adrenal hemorrhage, infarction, drugs
*Typically presents in adults between 30 and 50 years of age
*Typically presents in adults between 30 and 50 years of age
**All ages, races, genders can be affected
**All ages, races, genders can be affected
*Higher incidence with other autoimmune deficiencies  
*Higher incidence with other autoimmune deficiencies


==Clinical Features==
==Clinical Features==
[[File:WomenWithAddison.jpg|thumb|A Caucasian woman with Addison's disease]]
*[[Abdominal pain]]
*[[Abdominal pain]]
**Chronic [[nausea]], [[vomiting]], [[diarrhea]]
**Chronic [[nausea]], [[vomiting]], [[diarrhea]]
*Weakness and fatigue
*[[Weakness]] and fatigue
*Salt craving
*Salt craving
*Abnormal skin pigmentation - will often look patchy
*Abnormal skin pigmentation - will often look patchy
*Addisonian Crisis
*Addisonian crisis:
**Hypotension
**[[Hypotension]]
**Neurologic Symptoms: coma
**Neurologic symptoms: [[coma]]


==Differential Diagnosis==
==Differential Diagnosis==
*Corticosteroid withdrawal
*[[Corticosteroid]] withdrawal
*Secondary adrenal insufficiency - deficiency of ACTH (produced by the pituitary gland)
*Secondary adrenal insufficiency - deficiency of ACTH (produced by the pituitary gland)
*Tertiary adrenal insufficiency - deficiency of CRH (produced by the hypothalamus)
*Tertiary adrenal insufficiency - deficiency of CRH (produced by the hypothalamus)


==Diagnosis==
{{Adrenal crisis ddx}}
 
==Evaluation==
===Laboratory findings===
===Laboratory findings===
*[[Hypercalcemia]]
*[[Hypercalcemia]]
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**Low stimulation of the renal distal tubule by aldosterone = sodium wasting in the urine and H+ retention
**Low stimulation of the renal distal tubule by aldosterone = sodium wasting in the urine and H+ retention


===Diagnosis===
===Evaluation===
*Chemistry
*Chemistry
*Random cortisol, renin, and ACTH levels
*Random cortisol, renin, and ACTH levels
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*Hormone Replacement<ref>de Herder WW, van der Lely AJ (May 2003). "Addisonian crisis and relative adrenal failure". Reviews in Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders 4 (2): 143–7.</ref>
*Hormone Replacement<ref>de Herder WW, van der Lely AJ (May 2003). "Addisonian crisis and relative adrenal failure". Reviews in Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders 4 (2): 143–7.</ref>
**PO [[hydrocortisone]] and [[fludrocortisone]]
**PO [[hydrocortisone]] and [[fludrocortisone]]
*Adrenal crisis should be treated with 100mg hydrocortisone IV followed by 50mg IV q6 hours


==Disposition==
==Disposition==
*New Diagnosis: strong consideration for admission
*New diagnosis: strong consideration for admission
*Crisis?: Consider admission based on electrolytes and clinical presentation
*[[adrenal crisis|Crisis]]?: Consider admission based on electrolytes and clinical presentation


==See Also==
==See Also==
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<references/>
<references/>


[[Category:Endo]]
[[Category:Endocrinology]]

Latest revision as of 16:40, 14 February 2024

Background

Posterior view of the adrenal glands (colored) in relation to the viscera and large vessels of the abdomen (thoracic vertebra removed).
Types of adrenal insufficiency (primary, secondary, and tertiary) compared to normal physiology. In its normal state, the hypothalamus secretes corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) to induce the pituitary gland to secrete adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) to induce the adrenal gland to secrete cortisol. Cortisol then exerts negative feedback by inhibiting the secretion of CRH and ACTH in the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, respectively.
  • Primary adrenal insufficiency
  • Autoimmune disease (70-90%)
    • Tuberculosis previously most common cause
    • Other causes include infectious, metastatic cancer, lymphoma, adrenal hemorrhage, infarction, drugs
  • Typically presents in adults between 30 and 50 years of age
    • All ages, races, genders can be affected
  • Higher incidence with other autoimmune deficiencies

Clinical Features

A Caucasian woman with Addison's disease

Differential Diagnosis

  • Corticosteroid withdrawal
  • Secondary adrenal insufficiency - deficiency of ACTH (produced by the pituitary gland)
  • Tertiary adrenal insufficiency - deficiency of CRH (produced by the hypothalamus)

Adrenal crisis

Evaluation

Laboratory findings

Evaluation

Management

Disposition

  • New diagnosis: strong consideration for admission
  • Crisis?: Consider admission based on electrolytes and clinical presentation

See Also

External Links

References

  1. de Herder WW, van der Lely AJ (May 2003). "Addisonian crisis and relative adrenal failure". Reviews in Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders 4 (2): 143–7.