According to Penn State-Hershey's Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, adrenal insufficiency or Addison's disease is a serious condition caused by the impaired functioning of the adrenal glands' cortexes. This condition decreases the amount of cortisol and aldosterone—two important hormones—produced by the adrenal glands, which causes marked changes in the body's functioning. Common symptoms of adrenal deficiency include fatigue, anorexia or loss of appetite, and anxiety and depression.
Fatigue
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases or NIDDK—a division of the National Institutes of Health—one of the most common symptoms of adrenal deficiency is chronic, worsening fatigue. The Merck Manuals website states that, soon after developing adrenal deficiency or Addison's disease, a person typically feels weak, tired and dizzy when standing up after sitting or lying down for prolonged periods, and that these symptoms often develop gradually and insidiously. The Merck Manuals website also notes that, if adrenal deficiency is not treated appropriately, a person may experience profound weakness and fatigue, along with numerous other symptoms, and possibly even death. The weakness resulting from Addison's disease typically subsides with rest—a finding that helps physicians diagnose the condition.
Loss of Appetite and Weight Loss
Loss of appetite is a common symptom associated with adrenal deficiency or Addison's disease. According to MayoClinic.com, a person with Addison's disease typically will lose his appetite over a period of several months once the condition manifests. Loss of appetite in turn leads to weight loss. The Merck Manuals website states that a person with adrenal deficiency will develop hypogycemia after fasting, due to decreased gluconeogenesis—the metabolic process in which glucose is formed, primarily in the liver, from non-carbohydrate substances—whereas people with hypoglycemia from an over-secretion of insulin can experience attacks at any time, have an increased appetite with weight gain and possess normal adrenal function. A person's loss of appetite, weight loss and fasting response are helpful clues that physicians use to determine a patient's clinical picture and rule-in a diagnosis of Addison's disease.
Anxiety and Depression
Anxiety and depression are common symptoms associated with adrenal deficiency or Addison's disease, according to Penn State-Hershey's Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. The adrenal glands, which sit on top of the kidneys, can have a profound effect on a person's mental state. A person with Addison's disease may experience depression and anxiety, and she may exhibit a reduced tolerance to emotional distress, become easily frustrated and experience fear more easily. If a person with Addison's disease experiences chronic physical, mental or emotional stress—from an unhealthy diet, temperature extremes or a stressful work environment—adrenal gland function can be seriously compromised. However, if a person successfully manages his condition—with the help of his primary care provider—he should face no specific physical or occupational limitations, and his life expectancy should be no different than his unaffected peers.
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