Adrenal Insufficiency

Adrenal Insufficiency

1. Long term endocrine disorder where the adrenal glands do not produce enough steroid hormones (cortisol and aldosterone).

2. Anorexia

3. Nausea

4. Progressive weakness

5. Fatigue

6. Weight loss

7. Assess vital signs, look for signs of fluid volume deficiency and electrolyte imbalance, monitor serum glucose, potassium and sodium trends, correct fluid and electrolyte imbalances, daily weight and keep the patient away from stressful situations.

8. Most common cause is autoimmune adrenalitis which can arise in isolation or as an autoimmune polyglandular syndrome. Also secondary adrenal insufficiency which arises from pituitary or hypothalamic dysfunction or failure caused by tumours, radiation, infiltration, trauma or surgery.

9. Darkening of the skin

10. Low BP, low BGL

11. 'Addison's Disease'

    • Addisonian Crisis - life threatening emergency in patient's with primary class adisonian crisis or secondary adrenal failure.

12. Diagnosis - test blood and urine to test for ACTH - adrenocorticotropin. If elevated ACTH then the patient is positive for adrenal insufficiency.