What is Addison’s disease?

Also known as: adrenal insufficiency.

The adrenal glands produce steroid hormones known as glucocorticoids-cortisol, and mineralocorticoids-aldosterone that regulate many bodily functions, including the ability to respond to stress. When the adrenal glands produce insufficient amounts of these hormones, the disorder is known as Addison’s disease.

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Reviewed by: Jack Wolfsdorf, MD, FAAP

This page was last updated on: 1/29/2019 3:21:13 PM