Question

Define Addison’s disease and give me the organs and hormones involved. Also describe 3 techniques that could be used to diagnose this endocrine disorder.

Answer 1

Addison's disease is a long term disorder in which the adrenal glands produce insufficient steroid hormones.

Organs involved- Adrenal glands (cortex)

Hormones- Cortisol and aldosterone

Diagnostic techniques-

1) Blood test- measuring blood potassium, sodium, Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels in blood.

2) ACTH Stimulation test- measuring levels of cortisol before and after injecting artificial ACTH in blood.

3) Insulin- induced hypoglycemia test- checking blood sugar and cortisol levels after injecting insulin, to check for secondary insulin deficiency.