Addison Disease
Addison's disease and digoxin toxicity are more classically associated with hyperkalemia.
What our notes say
- Addison's disease and digoxin toxicity are more classically associated with hyperkalemia. (Chemical path 2021 — Past Paper Questions & Answers)
- Adrenal insufficiency (Addison's disease) — excluded, as sodium is normal and there are no other supporting biochemical features (Chemical path 2021 — Past Paper Questions & Answers)
- Levels of ACTH are low in Addison's disease because:A) Levels of glucocorticoids are high (Endocrine and Metabolic Pathology MCQs: Practice Questions)
- Hyperpigmentation with low sodium points to Addison disease. (Endocrinology and Gastroenterology Question Bank: 12 Clinical MCQs)
- Addison's disease causes hyperkalemia (low aldosterone). (Chemical Pathology MCQs: Diabetes, Renal & Liver Disease)
- If confirmed as true hyperkalemia: Addison's disease (low aldosterone), acute kidney injury, massive tissue destruction (rhabdomyolysis, burns), or medication (ACE inhibitors, potassium-sparing diuretics). (Chemical Pathology MCQs: Diabetes, Renal & Liver Disease)
Study material on Addison Disease
- LECTURE 6: Pancreatic and Adrenal Hormones
- Chemical Pathology MCQs: Clinical Chemistry, Endocrine & Renal
- Chemical Pathology MCQs
- Chemical Pathology MCQs: Diabetes, Renal & Liver Disease
- Chemical Pathology Practice Examination
- Endocrine & Renal Pathology
- Internal Medicine 4th Year Endocrinology CAT: 30 MCQs
- Chemical path 2021
- Chemical Pathology: Endocrine Cases, Pituitary & Thyroid Q&A
- ENDOCRINE PATHOLOGY
Practice questions on Addison Disease
Addison disease results in:
- Hypertension
- Hyperpigmentation
- Hypoglycaemia only
- Weight gain
- Hypernatraemia ✅ Answer: B
Answer: A. Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels are elevated in Addison's disease, leading to increased melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) activity and hyperpigmentation.
In Addison's disease, the expected electrolyte pattern is
- Hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, hypoglycemia
- Hypernatremia, hypokalemia, hyperglycemia
- Hyponatremia, hypokalemia, hypercalcemia
- Hypernatremia, hyperkalemia, hypoglycemia
Answer: A. Aldosterone deficiency causes sodium loss and potassium retention; cortisol deficiency causes hypoglycemia and impairs gluconeogenesis. ---
The most common cause of Addison's disease in developed countries is
- Tuberculosis
- Autoimmune adrenalitis
- Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome
- Metastatic malignancy
Answer: B. Autoimmune = most common in developed world. TB = most common worldwide. >90% of cortex must be destroyed before symptoms appear. Features: hyperpigmentation, hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, hypotension. ---
In Addison's disease, the expected electrolyte pattern is ---
- Hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, hypoglycemia
- Hypernatremia, hypokalemia, hyperglycemia
- Hyponatremia, hypokalemia, hypercalcemia
- Hypernatremia, hyperkalemia, hypoglycemia
Answer: A.