Acute Adrenal Crisis A Medlineplus article also posted in the New York Times. Acute adrenal crisis is a life-threatening condition that occurs when there is not enough cortisol, a hormone produced by the adrenal glands.

Adherence to glucocorticoid treatment guidelines improved, but risk for adrenal failure remains  Despite increased adherence to glucocorticoid stress dosing guidelines, patients with adrenal insufficiency are still at risk for acute adrenal failure, according to data published in the Journal of Pediatrics.

Adrenal Crisis and Acute Adrenal Insufficiency Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne

Adrenal Crisis in Emergency Medicine  Adrenal crisis and severe acute adrenocortical insufficiency are often elusive diagnoses that may result in severe morbidity and mortality when undiagnosed or ineffectively treated. Medscape

Adrenal Insufficiency Patients Require More Education on Adrenal Crisis Endocrinology Advisor: Greater efforts to educate patients with adrenal insufficiency and their families about prevention of adrenal crisis may be necessary, according to data presented at the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) 24th Annual Scientific & Clinical Congress.

See our Emergency Instructions Page for helpful tips, downloads and videos about adrenal crisis.

Extensive Expertise in Endocrinology: Adrenal Crisis  European Society of Endocrinology: Dr Bruno Allilo (discusses the misconception that patients return to good QOL with HC therapy, importance of emergency injection kit for all.)

High Incidence of Adrenal Crisis in Educated Patients with Chronic Adrenal Insufficiency: A Prospective Study  (The three most common causes of crisis are gastrointestinal infection, fever, and stress.)

In this video, Prof John Wass, Chair of the ADSHG Clinical Advisory Panel, discusses the symptoms of an adrenal crisis, how people with adrenal insufficiency should know when to give themselves an emergency injection and what to do next.

Therapy of Endocrine Disease: Perspectives on the management of adrenal insufficiency: clinical insights from around Europe. The increased demand for corticosteroids during periods of stress can result in a life-threatening adrenal crisis (AC) in a patient with AI. Education is paramount for patients and their caregivers to anticipate, recognize and provide proper early treatment to prevent or reduce the occurrence of ACs

Adrenal Fatigue Myth or Reality? a Systematic Review  The Endocrine Society

Is adrenal fatigue a real medical condition? Consumer Reports

Adrenal Fatigue Myth vs Fact by the Hormone Health Network.  A particularly concerning quote from this article “If you take adrenal hormone supplements when you don’t need them, your adrenal glands may stop working and become unable to make the hormones you need when you are under physical stress. When these supplements are stopped, a person’s adrenal glands can remain “asleep” for months. People with this problem may be in danger of developing a life-threatening condition called adrenal crisis.”

Addison’s Disease  Also called adrenal insufficiency, Addison’s disease occurs in all age groups and affects both sexes. Addison’s disease can be life-threatening. by the Mayo Clinic

Adrenal Insufficiency and Addison’s Disease  Information from the National Institutes of Health.

Adrenal Insufficiency Patient Information Sheet  This information sheet provides an introduction to the causes and symptoms of adrenal insufficiency and the tests used to diagnose this condition. by the Society for Endocrinology in the UK.

Adrenal Insufficient Achievers

Oswego, IL   Oswego’s Lukowski plays through Addison’s Disease

Canada  Interview: Nathan Gafuik   Nathan is a gymnast with Addison’s disease.

Medical News

TX   Lessons of Alexis Shapiro: Texas Girl’s Ordeal Spotlights Silent Crisis   There have been severals stories chronicling Alexis journey, this is just one of them.

Australia  Court calls for ‘safety watch’ after two young lives taken by undiagnosed Addison’s disease

Awareness and Support

Sioux Falls, SD  USF Men’s Basketball holds draft, signing day for 7-year-old

Astoria, OR  Oregon mothers fight to raise awareness of adrenal insufficiency, a treatable, sometimes fatal disease

Eugene, OR  Families push for education, normalcy for kids with adrenal insufficiency

Knoxville, TN  Spreading the sweet word: Family alerting first responders to rare disease

Community steps up to learn life-saving injection protocol for local boy

Inhaled corticosteroids and Secondary Adrenal Insufficiency, 2014

Corticosteroid-related central nervous system side effects

Adrenal suppression, a practical guide to screening and management

Common asthma steroids linked to side effects in adrenal glands  After stopping steroids commonly prescribed for asthma and allergies, a significant number of people may experience signs of malfunctioning in the adrenal glands, a European study finds.

Digital journals

Make your own electrolyte drinks

Medical alert zippered bags

Where to find an advocate

This is a valuable graphic for parents of adrenal insufficient children from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Here’s the current Australian Clinical Guidelines for treating adrenal crisis. It’s from the Royal Children’s Hospital of Melbourne and covers infants to adults.

Presentation of PAI in childhood

Comparison of the glucagon and the ITT test for diagnosis of AI in children under 6 years

Circadian Rhythm Dosing:  Written by Professor Peter Hindmarsh and Kathy Geertsma   Understanding how the body uses hydrocortisone and other steroids and how dosing based on the internal 24 hour “body clock” can help.

Replication of cortisol circadian rhythm: new advances in hydrocortisone replacement therapy.  More information about the circadian rhythm and adrenal insufficiency.

The connection between the HPA axis and the central and peripheral clocks that control circadian rhythm.

This article recognizes the need for overnight steroid coverage. It details a study on modified release hydrocortisone to replicate circadian rhythm

The effects of electromagnetic fields on circadian rhythm and cortisol production

Adrenal insufficiency and liver failure

Apathy and pituitary disease

Growth Hormone Deficiency GHD  Adults  Childhood and Adolescents

Metformin and Vitamin B12

Multiple hormone deficiencies are a common feature for SAI patients. This article ties the condition to cardiac issues, in particular growth hormone, testosterone, and thyroid deficiencies. Insulin resistance also plays a role.

Non-epileptic seizures

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDC’s)

Prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, depression, and anxiety among adrenal insufficient patients. Click on view or download e-poster for a printable form with statistics.

Selective IGA deficiency

For a list of conditions that can or do cause adrenal insufficiency Link to our page on Related Conditions. 

Professor Peter Hindmarsh has several resources on pump therapy for adrenal insufficiency. Some can be found on the CAHISUS website.

He and Kathy Geertsma have also written a very informative and helpful book can be found on Amazon Smile. Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia: A Comprehensive Guide

Several sections of this book are relevant to all with adrenal insufficiency including use of the pump for delivery of hydrocortisone.