Signs and Symptoms of Adrenal Insufficiency

Signs and Symptoms Caused by Glucocorticoid Deficiency  Fatigue, lack of energy Weight loss, anorexia Myalgia, joint pain Fever Anemia, lymphocytosis, eosinophilia Slightly increased TSH (due to loss of feedback inhibition of TSH release) Hypoglycemia (more frequent in children) Low blood pressure, postural hypotension Hyponatremia (due to loss of feedback inhibition of AVP release) Signs and Symptoms Caused by Mineralocorticoid Deficiency (Primary AI Only)  Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting Dizziness, postural hypotension Salt craving Low blood pressure, postural hypotension Increased serum creatinine (due to volume depletion) Hyponatremia Hyperkalemia Signs and Symptoms Caused by Adrenal Androgen Deficiency  Lack of energy Dry and itchy skin (in women) Loss of libido (in women) Loss of axillary and pubic hair (in women) Other Signs and Symptoms  Hyperpigmentation (primary AI only) [due to excess of pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC)–derived peptides] Alabaster-colored pale skin (secondary AI only) (due to deficiency of POMC-derived peptides)