Short answer · Medically reviewed summary · Last updated: 2026-04-06
Addison disease, also known as primary adrenal insufficiency, is a rare endocrine disorder where the adrenal glands fail to produce sufficient amounts of essential hormones, specifically cortisol and aldosterone. The Impact on Your Body The adrenal glands sit atop your kidneys and are vital for regulating your body’s response to stress, metabolism, and fluid balance. When you have Addison disease, the lack of cortisol disrupts your body's ability to manage blood sugar and stress, while the deficiency of aldosterone leads to an inability to balance salt and water, which causes the characteristic low blood pressure and dizziness. Classifications and Causes Addison disease is generally classified based on its cause.
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What is Addison Disease
What is Addison Disease? Plain-language, medically reviewed definition plus the lived reality told by patients.
Addison disease, also known as primary adrenal insufficiency, is a rare endocrine disorder where the adrenal glands fail to produce sufficient amounts of essential hormones, specifically cortisol and aldosterone.
The Impact on Your Body
The adrenal glands sit atop your kidneys and are vital for regulating your body’s response to stress, metabolism, and fluid balance. When you have Addison disease, the lack of cortisol disrupts your body's ability to manage blood sugar and stress, while the deficiency of aldosterone leads to an inability to balance salt and water, which causes the characteristic low blood pressure and dizziness.
Classifications and Causes
Addison disease is generally classified based on its cause. The most common form in developed countries is autoimmune, where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the adrenal cortex. Other, less common forms can result from infections (such as tuberculosis), genetic conditions, or structural damage to the glands. It is important to distinguish this from secondary adrenal insufficiency, which is caused by a problem with the pituitary gland rather than the adrenal glands themselves.
Who Is Affected?
While Addison disease can affect individuals of any age or gender, it most commonly presents in adults between 30 and 50 years old. It is considered a rare disease, with an estimated prevalence of roughly 100 to 140 per million people in Western populations. Because symptoms like fatigue and salt cravings often develop slowly, diagnosis can sometimes be delayed.
Key Diagnostic Features
What sets Addison disease apart is the presence of hyperpigmentation, or a darkening of the skin, which occurs because the body overproduces a precursor hormone in a futile attempt to stimulate the failing adrenal glands. Unlike many other hormonal imbalances, this condition requires lifelong hormone replacement therapy, typically with hydrocortisone and fludrocortisone, to maintain stable health.
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your endocrinologist or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your medical condition.
References
- NIH Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD)
- Orphanet: The portal for rare diseases and orphan drugs
- The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Posted Jan 14, 2023 by S 2350
