Endocrine
,Addison’s Disease
,Addison’s Disease
• Autoimmune destruction of the adrenal glands resulting in reduced
cortisol and aldosterone
• Usually presents in women aged 30-50
• Other causes of hypoadrenalism
• TB
• Metastases
• Exogenous glucocorticoids e.g. prednisolone
, Addison’s Disease: Symptoms
• Zona glomerulosa destroyed = aldosterone (mineralocorticoid) levels fa
• Hyperkalaemia, hyponatraemia and metabolic acidosis
• Syncope due to postural hypotension
• Nausea and vomiting
• Salt cravings
• Zona fasciculata destroyed = cortisol (glucocorticoid) levels fall
• Hypoglycaemia
• Hyperpigmentation overproduction of ACTH triggers melanocyte-stimulating
hormone production
• Zona reticularis destroyed = androgen levels fall
• Loss of pubic hair in women
,Addison’s Disease
,Addison’s Disease
• Autoimmune destruction of the adrenal glands resulting in reduced
cortisol and aldosterone
• Usually presents in women aged 30-50
• Other causes of hypoadrenalism
• TB
• Metastases
• Exogenous glucocorticoids e.g. prednisolone
, Addison’s Disease: Symptoms
• Zona glomerulosa destroyed = aldosterone (mineralocorticoid) levels fa
• Hyperkalaemia, hyponatraemia and metabolic acidosis
• Syncope due to postural hypotension
• Nausea and vomiting
• Salt cravings
• Zona fasciculata destroyed = cortisol (glucocorticoid) levels fall
• Hypoglycaemia
• Hyperpigmentation overproduction of ACTH triggers melanocyte-stimulating
hormone production
• Zona reticularis destroyed = androgen levels fall
• Loss of pubic hair in women
