This content has been updated and merged into our The Condition guide. Please use that page for current, consistent information. The text below is kept for reference; if anything differs, The Condition page and your endocrinologist’s advice take precedence.
Source and scope: A short English summary of our Turkish in-depth page, rewritten from our community’s earlier articles (2013–2019). It does not replace advice from your endocrinologist. Full version: Addison Hastalığı – Detaylı Bilgi (TR).
Adrenal glands and their hormones
The two adrenal glands sit above the kidneys. Their outer layer (cortex) makes cortisol (stress and energy hormone), aldosterone (salt and water balance) and adrenal androgens; the inner part (medulla) makes adrenaline.
Types of adrenal insufficiency
- Primary (Addison’s disease): the adrenal glands themselves are damaged — in most cases by autoimmunity, less often by tuberculosis, infection, bleeding, surgery or rare genetic conditions. Usually both cortisol and aldosterone are missing.
- Secondary: the pituitary gland does not make enough ACTH, so the adrenals are not stimulated. Aldosterone is usually preserved.
- Tertiary / steroid-induced: long-term steroid medicines suppress the body’s own cortisol production; stopping them suddenly can be dangerous.
Autoimmune links
Autoimmune Addison’s disease can occur together with other autoimmune conditions — most often Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, and also type 1 diabetes, vitiligo or pernicious anaemia (autoimmune polyglandular syndromes, APS-1 and APS-2). Your doctor may test for these from time to time.
Symptoms, tests and treatment
Typical symptoms are tiredness, weakness, weight loss, nausea, low blood pressure, salt craving and (in primary disease) darker skin. Diagnosis is made by an endocrinologist with blood tests such as morning cortisol and ACTH, a short ACTH (Synacthen) stimulation test, renin/aldosterone, electrolytes and adrenal antibodies, and imaging when needed.
Treatment is lifelong hormone replacement (a glucocorticoid such as hydrocortisone, and fludrocortisone in primary disease). The condition is not “cured”, but with correct treatment, sick-day rules and an emergency plan most people live full lives.
An adrenal crisis can be triggered by infection, vomiting or diarrhoea, injury, surgery or missed doses. See Adrenal crisis and Be prepared.
Medical disclaimer: The information on this site is prepared by a patient community for general information only. Always consult your own doctor (endocrinologist) about diagnosis, treatment or any dose change. In an emergency in Türkiye, call 112.