Addison’s disease risks
Jan 4, 2012 General
Also called adrenal insufficiency or hypocortisolism, Addison’s disease occurs in all age groups and affects both sexes. Risk factors for the autoimmune type of addison’s disease include other autoimmune diseases: Chronic thyroiditis, Dermatis herpetiformis, Graves’ disease, Hypoparathyroidism, Hypopituitarism, Myasthenia gravis, Pernicious anemia, Testicular dysfunction, Type I diabetes, Vitiligo, Certain genetic defects may cause these conditions.
Adrenal insufficiency occurs when at least 90 percent of the adrenal cortex has been destroyed. As a result, often both glucocorticoid (cortisol) and mineralocorticoid (aldosterone) hormones are lacking.
X-rays may be used to look for calcification on the adrenal cortex that may be due to a tuberculosis infection.
CT (computerized tomography) or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans are sometimes used to look at the size and shape of the adrenal glands and the pituitary. The adrenal glands can be enlarged with infections and cancers.