What Are Symptoms of Adrenal Insufficiency?
Adrenal insufficiency, known commonly as Addison’s disease, occurs when more than 90 percent of the adrenal glands have been destroyed. According to “Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine,” the symptoms are mainly a result of cortisol deficiency, a hormone which is responsible for a broad range of metabolic activities, among them maintaining blood pressure and blood glucose levels. Aldosterone, also secreted by the adrenals, helps regulate the body’s water and salt balance, therefore a deficiency will contribute to symptoms of Addison’s.
