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More about addison’s disease

Normal plasma cortisol level should reach 1000 nmol/L by 4 hours. In primary addison’s disease, the cortisol level is reduced at all stages whereas in secondary corticoadrenal insufficiency, a delayed but normal response is seen.
This form of adrenal insufficiency is much more common than primary adrenal insufficiency and can be traced to a lack of ACTH.
Addison’s disease results when your adrenal glands are damaged, producing insufficient amounts of the hormone cortisol and often aldosterone as well. These glands are located just above your kidneys. As part of your endocrine system, they produce hormones that give instructions to virtually every organ and tissue in your body.
Patients usually present with features of both glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid deficiency. The predominant symptoms vary depending on the duration of disease.