Hi I have some questions about adrenal insufficiency/addison's disease, I have had increasing worsening symptoms over the past 4 years and recently things have got noticibly worse. I have had some symptoms for along time without it really affecting my general life (get tired more often, feel cold more etc), yet recently the symptoms are affecting my daily activities quite noticibly now (lack energy/stamina, tired easily cant walk fast etc) and other symptoms such as hypoglycemia have become apparent.
I have looked into the symptoms and as yet feel that it sounds like possibly an adrenal problem (thyroid and anemia rulled out, hormones have been suggested) and wondered if you could answer these questions for me;

can adrenal insufficiency cause persistant worsening tiredness (strange pattern, wake up tired, midday ish feel better, 3pmish tired again, 6pmish better, 8.30pmish tired again- some days are better than others,and begin to question weather its all in my head- untill i get a bad day!)?

Is the inability to gain weight and therefore having a dangerously low BMI a sign of adrenal insufficiency (was size 8-10 recently size 6-8ish and i do eat!)?

Is low blood sugar, lack of energy and stamina a sign (fasting blood glucose 1.2mmol)?

finally if you constantly feel the cold, have very thin hair that comes out in handfuls, and localised reactions to plasters (never had this before ever) a sign?

Is anxiety over insignificant things (tried everything to solve it, relaxation, herbal, beta blockers, antianxiety meds nothing really works) is this a problem in adrenal problems?

Is lighthadedness another problem (if i stand for a long time in the same place without moving I feel dizzy)?

Is nausea a problem (very recently I have begun to feel quite nauseaus at times)

Could it be adrenal insufficiency?

Thank you, please post back i'm desparate for answers.

I'm not going to be too much help here because I'm asking pretty much the same questions but I just wanted to tell you I have the same issue with the fatigue and your schedule was similar to mine. I wake up exhausted...

You should definitely see an endo and get tested. I know Im going to.
God bless and hope you find some answers!

YES TO ALL OF YOUR QUESTIONS.
You need to see an endocrinologist as soon as humanly possible.

I had all of your symptoms, and I have adrenal insuffiency and thyroid disease. There are medications out there that can help you.

Adrenal Insufficency is not safe and it needs treatment.

Keep us posted.

I'm not diagnosed either but wanted to tell you that it sounds very much like my situation.

*Severe fatigue in varying patterns.
*Appetite loss with severe weight loss.
*Feeling cold.
*Periods of obvious low blood sugar.
*Dizzyness, nearly fainting.

I also have recently begun to have daily headaches and a strange taste in my mouth. I also have a problem with nausea and it can get worse when standing for too long. Some of these things have gone on for several years and I never put them all together until just recently. I've been going downhill for a few months now. Sometimes the fatigue has gotten so bad I feel like I can't move. Which isn't good with two small children at home. I get out of breath so easily and have pain in my joints and muscles. I do also have an issue with hair loss but I figure it's related to the weight loss. I have lost about 26% of my body weight in about 6 months time.

Hope you get some answers very soon! I'm waiting on an appointment, May 15th! Can't come soon enough, I've been waiting a long time.

Thanks you guys. I feel more at ease knowing that my symptoms have a real cause and that I am not the only one who feels this way.
My doctor has finally reffered me on to an endocrinologist, however I have just found out that the waiting time is going to be about 3 months! I just hope I dont get any worse than I feel now (especially as I have got this bad in about 2 months)!
Thanks, will keep you posted.

Jen,

About the 3 month waiting period, a friend of mine found a great way to be seen sooner. She called at least once a week, sometimes more often, to see if there were any cancellations whose appointments she could take and was seen quickly. I'm not sure if it was because she was a squeaky wheel, or if it just turned out that they had an opening. Where there is a will, there is a way!

Hope you get the results you need soon! :)
MaryAnn

If you don't have any luck with the adrenal tests. I would have a second look at the thyroid. If your TSH from your thyroid tests, is close to either the low end of the range .3 or the top end of the range 3.0, you may have an issue.

I was told for 10+ years that I did not have a thyroid issue, but it turns out that my drs were uninformed, using old ranges. If you have any suspicion about it, post your labs with ranges on the thyroid board as the people there are very helpful and informed. :)