Hi, I'm new to this forum. Has anybody else been diagnosed with Lyme disease and also have Addison's disease? I've heard there can be a connection in dogs, but I find nothing about humans. I developed Addison's around the same time I got bit by a tick.

Thats interesting, I remember having a tick stuck on my leg sometime before I was diagnosed with Addisons. I havent been diagnosed with lyme disease though.

Did you ever have any symptoms of muscle pain or fatigue other than from the Addison's? I had Lyme 3 years before, then I got bit by another tick which wasn't a Lyme tick, and then my Addison's symptoms all came out along with whatever Lyme disease was still in my body. Now whenever I don't take enough hydrocortisone, my old Lyme symptoms come back.

I'm searching the internet everywhere for any correlation, but so far I've only seen Lyme as a catalyst for Addison's in dogs, but nothing in people.

Hi ssmillik. Were you treated for Lyme? For how long? It could be that you were not treated long enough or aggressively enough for Lyme disease. Besides Lyme, ticks can transmit several co-infections including Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis (HME & HGE), Bartonella, and Mycoplasma. Many people who have Lyme are co-infected. Were you ever tested for these infections by a Lyme lab such as IgeneX in Palo Alto, CA?

When someone who has Lyme take steriods, it can make the Lyme much worse. I highly recommend that you see a Lyme knowledgeable doctor. Many doctors do not understand tick-borne illnessess and follow outdated treatment protocols. I see on your post that you are in MA. There is an excellent Lyme doctor in Wilton, CT. His name is Dr. Steven Phillips.

Also, the Lyme disease board at this site has a lot of good information.

Hi ticker. I assume you know all about Lyme, given your name. I actually have been treated by a Lyme-literate doctor for 2 years. As long as I take enough hydrocortisone, my Lyme symptoms don't come back (other than brain fog). I'm not sure I'll ever totally get rid of the potential for it to come back, but I'm feeling well right now. I am a member of a Lyme website, so I have the knowledge.

The only thing people can't tell me is if there's a darn connection between the two. When I developed Lyme, was it just too much for my body and I therefore got Addison's? Both my Lyme doctor and endocrinologist say "no", but it's too coincidental. They both developed at the same time.

Thanks for the response - do you have both too?

Hi ssmillik. Yes, I know more about Lyme than I want to! I am glad you were treated by a Lyme doctor. All I can say is make sure it has been eradicated before you stop treatment.

I think there can be a connection. Lyme disease definitely can suppress the immune system and then I think other things can happen. I ended up with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis along with five tick-borne illnesses. Of course it is possible I might have gotten they thyroid disorder anyway, but I don't believe that I would. Nothing scientific here, just my opinion. So I think you are onto something. I have wondered if my adrenals are compromised too. I still do not have the Hashimoto's properly regulated.

What are the symptoms of adrenal problems and what is the best doctor to see for it?

Hi ticker, extreme fatigue and muscle weakness is a big one. There is a difference between Lyme fatigue and Addison's fatigue. I thought it was all Lyme, but once I started getting treated and felt better, the fatigue was still there. It's like you have absolutely no muscle strength in your body. Also, low blood pressure and salt cravings are a sign. If your skin starts turning darker than usual (not just the usual summer tan), that's a big sign. I'm sure other people here can tell you some more symptoms.

Your endocrinologist should be able to tell you, but make sure you get an ACTH test if you suspect Addison's.

ticker, Here are symptoms of a crisis I copied from one of many sites. Symptoms of addisons could be any of these. I think diarrhea should be on the list too. See a Endocrinologist for testing.


Symptoms:
headache
profound weakness
fatigue
slow, sluggish, lethargic movement
nausea
vomiting
low blood pressure
dehydration
high fever
shaking chills
confusion or coma
darkening of the skin (see skin, abnormally dark or light)
rapid heart rate
joint pain
abdominal pain
unintentional weight loss
rapid respiratory rate (see tachypnea)
unusual and excessive sweating on face and/or palms
skin rash or lesion may be present
flank pain
loss of appetite

Thank you both for your replies. Fatigue and lack of stamina are big symptoms for me, but I thought it may be from the Lyme and/or thyroid problem. I have unexplained heart palpitations also. Lately I have been craving salt, which is very unusual for me.

Wanda do you know if the symptoms on the list can come and go?

I will be seeing a new doctor about my thyroid in June, but he is not an endocrinologist. Do you think he will still be familiar with the ACTH test? It may be worth doing.

Thanks again.

ticker, I would "guess" the symptoms could come & go if the adrenals are not functioning well. You need an endo who is familiar with addisons. Your symptoms could be from your thyroid. Craving salt is another thing. We take Florinef for the salt craving. Not something you should take unless it is proven that you need it. Correct procedure for the ACTH test below. Have you had your electolytes checked?

Might be best to rule out addisons before treating your thyroid.


Diagnostic Testing for Addison's Disease


TEST 1: Electrolyte profile:

OBJECT: To determine if the patient exhibits a normal serum (blood) sodium and potassium levels.

THE TEST: A blood draw followed by automated determination of sodium and potassium levels as well as other standard blood markers.

NORMAL RESULT (will vary somewhat from lab to lab): Sodium 135-150 mEq/L; Potassium 3.5-5.2 mEq/L

PRIMARY ADDISONIAN: Will show significantly below normal values of sodium and a elevated (above normal) levels of potassium.

REASON FOR ABNORMALITY: Low or no production of aldosterone from the adrenal cortex. This steroidal hormone regulates our mineral balance and is called a mineralocorticoid. Primary Addisonians lose sodium and retain potassium. Abnormal values here, in additon to physical signs and symptoms, require the next test.


TEST 2: The ACTH stimulation test:

OBJECT: To determine if the patient's adrenal glands can respond to the ACTH message from the pituitary to increase cortisol production in the adrenal cortex.

THE TEST: The test is usually given first thing in the morning when normal cortisol levels are highest. Blood is withdrawn from the patient to establish a baseline (No instructions regarding necessity for fasting). The patient is given 250 micrograms (ug) of ACTH (Cortrosyn, Cosyntropin, or Synacthen) by injection in saline at one time. Blood is drawn at 30 minutes and/or 60 minutes and the serum cortisol level is determined.

NORMAL RESULTS: Normal pre-injection levels of cortisol are 5-25 ug/dL (138-690 nmol/L). The value should double at 30-60 minutes with a minimum of 20 ug/dL (552 nmol/L). PRIMARY ADDISONIAN: There will be no or little increase in cortisol levels upon ACTH injection. Notes: It is stated in several places that a single test of cortisol levels, or even 24 h urinary levels of cortisol and its metabolites, are NOT DIAGNOSTIC! In the normal individual cortisol levels are seen to pulse. Low cortisol production in either the serum or the urine after ACTH stimulation is diagnostic of Addisons disease.

SECONDARY ADDISONIAN (Pituitary malfunction): Low cortisol production can be seen if the patient has "functional adrenal cortical atrophy" due to prolonged absence of normal ACTH secretion. This type of patient would not show the typical hyper-pigmentation of primary Addisons.