Editing Adrenal Insufficiency (section)

== Diagnosis and Evaluation ==

* '''Diagnosis of primary adrenal insufficiency is primarily made on clinical grounds''', with a high index of suspicion given a patient’s history, physical and labs.

=== History and Physical ===

* Clinical manifestations of adrenal insufficiency[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279083]
** '''Anorexia'''
** '''Abdominal pain'''
** '''Weakness'''
** '''Weight loss'''
** '''Fatigue'''
** '''Hypotension'''
** '''Salt craving'''
** '''Hyperpigmentation of the skin in case of primary adrenal insufficiency'''

=== Labs ===

* '''Diagnosis is confirmed by measurements of morning serum cortisol and ACTH.''' '''Patients with primary adrenal insufficiency also exhibit abnormal aldosterone and renin levels.'''
* Confirmatory testing involves assessing the adrenal response to ACTH stimulation in the form of the corticotropin test.