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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Suggest Treatment For Adrenal Insufficiency

After a lot of reading and just knowing my body better than anyone else, I m pretty sure I have an adrenal insufficiency. I have unexplained weight loss, and chronic fatigue excruciating pain in my feet and a few other milder symptoms. After reading about Addison s Disease I m a bit down. It s not really an excepted diagnosis. But I could use any insight. Thanks for your help!
Fri, 26 Oct 2018
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hello,

Adrenal insufficiency is a disorder that occurs when the adrenal glands don’t make enough of certain hormones.

These include cortisol, sometimes called the “stress hormone,” which is essential for life.

The most common symptoms are fatigue, muscle weakness, loss of appetite, weight loss, and abdominal pain.

Adrenal insufficiency results in a lack of essential hormones, and therefore treatment focuses on replacing or substituting those hormones.

Cortisol is replaced orally with tablets taken once or twice a day. Aldosterone is replaced with oral doses of a mineralocorticoid, called fludrocortisone acetate, that are taken once a day.

Fludrocortisone helps to maintain the right levels of salt and fluids in the body.

Your doctor will talk to you first about your medical history and your signs and symptoms.

If your doctor thinks that you may have Addison's disease, you may undergo some tests such as blood test measuring your blood levels of sodium, potassium, cortisol and ACTH gives your doctor an initial indication of whether adrenal insufficiency may be causing your signs and symptoms.

I suggest consult your primary care physician or, if needed, an endocrinologist who will first confirm the diagnosis before starting any medication.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Take care

Regards,
Dr Prabhash Verma, General & Family Physician
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Suggest Treatment For Adrenal Insufficiency

Hello, Adrenal insufficiency is a disorder that occurs when the adrenal glands don’t make enough of certain hormones. These include cortisol, sometimes called the “stress hormone,” which is essential for life. The most common symptoms are fatigue, muscle weakness, loss of appetite, weight loss, and abdominal pain. Adrenal insufficiency results in a lack of essential hormones, and therefore treatment focuses on replacing or substituting those hormones. Cortisol is replaced orally with tablets taken once or twice a day. Aldosterone is replaced with oral doses of a mineralocorticoid, called fludrocortisone acetate, that are taken once a day. Fludrocortisone helps to maintain the right levels of salt and fluids in the body. Your doctor will talk to you first about your medical history and your signs and symptoms. If your doctor thinks that you may have Addison s disease, you may undergo some tests such as blood test measuring your blood levels of sodium, potassium, cortisol and ACTH gives your doctor an initial indication of whether adrenal insufficiency may be causing your signs and symptoms. I suggest consult your primary care physician or, if needed, an endocrinologist who will first confirm the diagnosis before starting any medication. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Take care Regards, Dr Prabhash Verma, General & Family Physician