Often, symptoms will develop slowly over time as the cortisol or other hormone levels gradually decrease.
People with adrenal insufficiency typically report some or all of the following symptoms:
- fatigue or overwhelming exhaustion
- deepening skin pigmentation (looking like the person has a sun tan even when they haven’t been out in the sun) - primary adrenal insufficiency/Addison's disease only
- dizziness or light-headedness on standing
- low blood pressure
- salt cravings - primary adrenal insufficiency/Addison's
- weight loss
- poor appetite
- nausea or vomiting
- difficulty concentrating (brain fog)
- muscle weakness with cramps
- headaches
- stomach pains
Hyperpigmentation
The pre-diagnosis symptom of increased pigmentation may be difficult to detect in people with dark skin tone. Therefore, it is vital to check the inside of the mouth and gums.
