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Addison's Disease is a relatively rare and chronic autoimmune condition where the adrenal gland does not produce enough cortisol and at times also aldosterone. In this section, we will cover symptoms, treatment, managing the condition over the long-term and impact on fertility, pregnancy and motherhood.
I was 32 years old. I had just survived a miserable pregnancy and rough delivery, but instead of gaining my strength back and enjoying this new stage of my life, I was rushed to the hospital, at risk of stroke and heart failure. My adrenal gland had failed. Task 1: Figure out what to do with this new human being.
Addison’s disease, also known as primary adrenal insufficiency, is an endocrine condition involving destruction of parts of the adrenal gland (which sits atop the kidney), resulting in a deficiency of the steroid hormones produced by this gland, including cortisol and aldosterone. It can have many causes, though the two most common are autoimmune (in developed countries) and infectious (in developing
What are some implications for pregnancy with Addison’s disease? Among the many autoimmune diseases, Addison’s stands out as one with an often delayed diagnosis and an explanation that may not be entirely clear to patients. This is because its symptoms are sometimes vague (fatigue, weakness, weight loss, nausea) and it is relatively rare. Also, it affects an unfamiliar but essential
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