What is Adrenal Insufficiency? " Mary is a 44-year-old who presents to her physician with symptoms of poor appetite "

What is Adrenal Insufficiency? " Mary is a 44-year-old who presents to her physician with symptoms of poor appetite "

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  Dr. Ronald Goldenberg MD, FRCPC, FACE Endocrinologist, Thornhill, ON 27 February 2017

  There’s the outer cortex, and the outer cortex produces three types of hormones: glucocorticoids, or cortisol; mineralocorticoid or aldosterone, that’s responsible for blood pressure and sodium and potassium maintenance in the body; and androgens, or male hormones that are responsible for growth of hair under the arms, pubic hair, for example. And the inner medulla of the adrenal gland produces catecholamines.

  Reply to: What is Adrenal Insufficiency? " Mary is a 44-year-old who presents to her physician with symptoms of poor appetite "

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    Mr. Jackson Sayers BSc., Kinesiologist, Vancouver, BC 28 April 2022

    Graves' disease is an autoimmune disease and is a common cause of hyperthyroidism. graves' disease attacks the thyroid gland causing the production of antibodies and subsequently causes the thyroid gland to overproduce hormones. Hyperthyroidism can also be caused by a condition called inflammatory thyroiditis. If a close family member has had Graves' disease there is no real hereditary that you will also have thyroid problems.

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  Michelle Kaarto, BScK, CSEP CEP 16 November 2015

  Mary is approaching the age of menopause. How will this affect the management of her adrenal insufficiency?

  Reply to: What is Adrenal Insufficiency? " Mary is a 44-year-old who presents to her physician with symptoms of poor appetite "

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    K. Michael 07 December 2015

    If they are treating her adrenal insufficiency with hormones, wouldn't she have to be monitored as she goes through menopause to adjust as her body's level of natural hormone decreases ?

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  K. Michael 03 August 2015

  The case study mentions that she is given instructions on how to adjust her medication when she is ill. Is there a learning curve with regards to this diagnosis ? Would she have to have doctor assistance in adjusting her medication for the first while ?

  Reply to: What is Adrenal Insufficiency? " Mary is a 44-year-old who presents to her physician with symptoms of poor appetite "

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    Dr. Ronald Goldenberg MD, FRCPC, FACE Endocrinologist, Thornhill, ON 27 February 2017

    If you think you have any of the signs and/or symptoms of adrenal insufficiency and they haven’t been explained already, you should see your physician to get appropriate tests.

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  K. Michael 22 July 2015

  How would Addison's and Adrenal Insufficiency cause a change in skin pigmentation ?

  Reply to: What is Adrenal Insufficiency? " Mary is a 44-year-old who presents to her physician with symptoms of poor appetite "

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  K. Michael 22 June 2015

  Avoiding stress can help Mary avoid an Addison's crisis. She might want to try meditation and yoga to manage her stress levels.

  Reply to: What is Adrenal Insufficiency? " Mary is a 44-year-old who presents to her physician with symptoms of poor appetite "

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    Dr. Ronald Goldenberg MD, FRCPC, FACE Endocrinologist, Thornhill, ON 27 February 2017

    So if you see your doctor and you have some of these signs or symptoms, your doctor may order a series of tests to make the diagnosis. Typically they are measuring blood or urine levels to check the production of cortisol, and if the diagnosis is proven, then treatment is quite simple.

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    Michelle Kaarto, BScK, CSEP CEP 14 January 2016

    Stress really affects people with Addison's Disease because they don't have a lot of cortisol in their bodies. Cortisol helps people deal with stress, so it can cause symptoms like muscle pain in those with Addison's.

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    Healthymama 22 September 2015

    How does stress affect Addison's disease?

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  Joy 30 May 2015

  Can anything be done to prevent Addison's Disease? How do high potassium levels affect your body?

  Reply to: What is Adrenal Insufficiency? " Mary is a 44-year-old who presents to her physician with symptoms of poor appetite "

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    AllieS 14 October 2015

    I believe the majority of Addison's disease cases are due to autoimmune destruction of the adrenal glands, can someone confirm? As for hyperkalemia (high potassium), there are a range of effects. Most notably, potassium is an integral part of nerve impulse transmission. High levels of potassium lead to higher excitability of neuronal cells that send electric impulses, which can have significant effects on heart rhythms and muscle contractions. As an electrolyte, maintaining potassium levels in balance with other electrolytes is also very important for fluid balance within cells. Potassium concentration inside and outside cells is closely monitored through sodium/potassium pumps and channels for these purposes.

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    Healthymama 22 September 2015

    I would be curious about this Addison's disease too. I have never heard of this nor adrenal insufficiency.

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  ShirleyG 29 May 2015

  Is Addison's Disease hereditary ? What are the signs and symptoms to watch for ? Once diagnosed with Addison's Disease is this something that would require ongoing medications or is there a more natural approach to manage the symptoms ?

  Reply to: What is Adrenal Insufficiency? " Mary is a 44-year-old who presents to her physician with symptoms of poor appetite "

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    Michelle Kaarto, BScK, CSEP CEP 16 October 2015

    I have read that signs of Addison's disease can develop slowly over time, so it might be difficult to identify an issue until you have more symptoms. The signs I have read about include muscle weakness, weight loss, darkening of the skin, and a craving for salt. I guess if you notice any change in your overall health, it's a good idea to mention it to your family physician.