Addisons Disease

Question 1

What is Addisons disease

Answer 1

Adrenal Insufficiency thats primary / secondary in nature

Question 2

What is the 4 causes of primary Addisons Disease

Answer 2

MAIL

M etastasis (lung/breast/renal)

A utoimmune

I nfectious (TB most common)

L ymphomas

Question 3

What are 2 causes of secondary Addisons Disease

Answer 3

Prolonged Prednisolone (steroid) use

Pituitary Adenoma (No ACTH => No cortisol release)

Question 4

What are (3) symptoms of Addison’s disease

Answer 4

Weight Loss

Myalgia

Weakness

Question 5

What are 3 investigations used in Addisons

Answer 5

ACTH + Cortisol Measurements

U&E (K+Na)

CXR (lung cancer primary addisons)

Question 6

Why are U&E done in Addisons

Answer 6

High K+

Low Na+

Question 7

Other than excision of a tumour in Addison’s, what are 2 drugs given in Addison’s disease

Answer 7

Hydrocortisone

Fludrocortisone

Question 8

What are the complications of Addison’s disease

Answer 8

3PGH

P ernicious Anaemia
P rimary Ovarian Failure
P olyglandular Syndrome
G raves Disease 
H ashimoto's Thyroditis

Question 9

Adrenal Anatomy

What are the 3 structures of the Adrenal Cortex and what do they make?

What is made in the Adrenal Medulla?

Answer 9

Zona Glomerulosa => Aldosterone

Zona Fascicularis => Cortisol

Zona Reticularis => Androgens

Adrenal Medulla => Adrenaline (Medularine)