Symptoms

Addison's disease symptoms usually develop slowly, often over several months. Often, the disease progresses so slowly that symptoms are ignored until a stress, such as illness or injury, occurs and makes symptoms worse. Signs and symptoms may include:

• Extreme fatigue
• Weight loss and decreased appetite
• Darkening of your skin (hyperpigmentation)
• Low blood pressure, even fainting
• Salt craving
• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
• Nausea, diarrhea or vomiting (gastrointestinal symptoms)
• Abdominal pain
• Muscle or joint pains
• Irritability
• Depression or other behavioral symptoms
• Body hair loss or sexual dysfunction in women

Acute adrenal failure (addisonian crisis)

Sometimes the signs and symptoms of Addison's disease may appear suddenly. Acute adrenal failure (addisonian crisis) can lead to life-threatening shock. Seek emergency medical treatment if you experience the following signs and symptoms:

• Severe weakness
• Confusion
• Pain in your lower back or legs
• Severe abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea, leading to dehydration
• Reduced consciousness or delirium

In an addisonian crisis you will also have:

• Low blood pressure
• High potassium (hyperkalemia) and low sodium (hyponatremia)

When to see a doctor

See your doctor if you have common signs and symptoms of Addison's disease, such as:

• Darkening areas of skin (hyperpigmentation)
• Severe fatigue
• Unintentional weight loss
• Gastrointestinal problems, such as nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain
• Lightheadedness or fainting
• Salt cravings
• Muscle or joint pains