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Addison’s disease

Definition:
Addison's disease is a hormone deficiency caused by damage to the outer layer of the adrenal gland (adrenal cortex).

Alternative Names:
Adrenocortical hypofunction; Chronic adrenocortical insufficiency; Adrenal insufficiency

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

The adrenal glands are located on top of each kidney. They consist of the outer portion (called the cortex) and the inner portion (called the medulla). The cortex produces three types of hormones: sex hormones, glucocorticoid hormones, and mineralocorticoid hormones.

  • The sex hormones, androgens (male) and estrogens (female) affect sexual development and reproduction.
  • The glucocorticoid hormones (such as cortisol) maintain glucose (sugar) regulation, suppress the immune response, and help the body respond to stress.
  • The mineralocorticoid hormones (such as aldosterone) regulate sodium and potassium balance.

Addison's disease results from damage to the adrenal cortex, which causes decreased production of adrenocortical hormones. This damage may be caused by the following:

  • the immune system mistakenly attacking the gland (autoimmune disease)
  • infections such as tuberculosis, HIV, or fungal infections
  • hemorrhage
  • tumors
  • use of blood-thinning drugs (anticoagulants)

Risk factors for the autoimmune type of Addison's disease include other autoimmune diseases:

These may be caused by certain genetic defects.



Review Date: 9/1/2002
Reviewed By: Todd T. Brown, M.D., Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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