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The symptoms of Addison’s disease are similar to those seen in many other conditions and tend to develop gradually.
This can make diagnosis challenging.
Remember, if you are experiencing any of the symptoms or risk factors listed below, it is important to discuss them with your GP. The GP Discussion Guide can be a helpful tool to assist you when you visit them.
This simple symptom checker will help remind you of the possible symptoms.
The wide range of possible symptoms may include:
(tick the symptoms that apply to you)
The wide range of possible symptoms may include:
(tick the symptoms that apply to you)
For more information about symptoms, please click here
Don’t simply ignore potential Addison’s disease symptoms
Over half of people with Addison’s disease have symptoms and signs for more than one year before diagnosis
Risk Factors
In the UK, the most common cause of Addison's disease is a problem with the immune system. Autoimmune disorders have been found to be more common in people who have specific genes.
It remains unclear how these genes lead to Addison’s disease and similar conditions, but it does mean that certain risk factors may make a diagnosis of Addison's disease more likely. These include:
In the UK, the most common cause of Addison’s disease is a problem with the immune system. Autoimmune disorders have been found to be more common in people who have specific genes.
It remains unclear how these genes lead to Addison’s disease and similar conditions, but it does
mean that certain risk factors may make a diagnosis of Addison’s disease more likely. These include:
There’s a history of autoimmune disease such as Addison's disease in your family
There’s a history of autoimmune disease such as Addison’s disease in your family
Your risk of developing Addison’s disease is increased if you or a close family member have another autoimmune condition.
You have an existing autoimmune disease such as:
Type 1 diabetes
Vitiligo
Hypothyroidism
Vitiligo
Hypothyroidism
You have an existing autoimmune disease such as:
Vitiligo
You have vitiligo
About 15 to 25% of people with vitiligo may also be affected by at least one other autoimmune disorder, such as Addison’s disease.
You have an existing autoimmune disease such as:
Hypothyroidism
You have a condition called hypothyroidism
People with Addison’s disease often have hypothyroidism. This is where the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones.
Why not make a note of the symptoms you have identified by using this downloadable GP Discussion Guide?
ADDISONIAN CRISIS - A MEDICAL EMERGENCY
If levels of adrenal hormones become too low, an adrenal or Addisonian crisis may occur.
This situation may be triggered by severe physical stress – like having an operation, or another illness – an infection for example.
It can be a life-threatening situation, causing low blood pressure, severe dehydration and loss of consciousness.
An Addisonian crisis is a medical emergency and needs immediate medical attention
Other symptoms associated with an Addisonian crisis include:
(In addition to those listed in the symptoms section)
- Pale, clammy, cold skin
- Headache
- Severe vomiting and diarrhoea
- Sweating
- Stomach pain
- Severe muscle weakness and fatigue
- Dizziness
- Rapid and shallow breathing
- Drowsiness
For more information about symptoms, please click here
- Pale, clammy, cold skin
- Headache
- Severe vomiting and diarrhoea
- Sweating
- Stomach pain
- Severe muscle weakness and fatigue
- Dizziness
- Rapid and shallow breathing
- Drowsiness
For more information about symptoms, please click here
To help in identification, the figure below summarises the different signs and symptoms to look for in adrenal insufficiency and those signs and symptoms that occur when a patient is actually experiencing an adrenal crisis.11
The distinction is important as, at least at the outset, signs and symptoms can be similar for both conditions.
Patients may present with some, but not all of the symptoms in the image below.
Click to enlarge
To help in identification, the image below summarises the different signs and symptoms to look for in adrenal insufficiency and those signs and symptoms that occur when a patient is actually experiencing an adrenal crisis.
The distinction is important as, at least at the outset, signs and symptoms can be similar for both conditions.
Patients may present with some, but not all of the symptoms in the image below.