Endo: Addison's Disease: Free MSRA Podcast | Pass the MSRA: Free Podcasts

🎧MSRA Podcast:Addison’s Disease – The Adrenal Breakdown You Need to Know 🧠 One of the most high-yield endocrinology topics for your MSRA. In this episode, we break Addison’sDisease down to its essentials — with memory aids, clinical pearls, andexam-focused takeaways to make it stick. 🧠Key Learning Points 📌Definition • Addison’s = Primary adrenal insufficiency • Adrenal cortexfails → low cortisol + often low aldosterone 🧠Primary =Pigmentation + Problem in the adrenal 📌Causes Autoimmune destruction (~80–85% in UK) Infections (e.g. TB, HIV, CMV) Metastases (e.g. from lung cancer) Genetic (e.g. CAH in children, adrenoleukodystrophy) Hemorrhage (e.g. Waterhouse-Friderichsen)🧠 Think "AIM High" = Autoimmune, Infection, Metastases, Hemorrhage 📌Pathophysiology • In primary, ↓ cortisol + ↓ aldosterone • In secondary, ↓ cortisol only (aldosterone spared) 🧠 Aldosterone = RAAS-driven, not ACTH-dependent • Hyperpigmentation= ↑ ACTH → ↑ MSH 🧠Primary =Pigmentation Present 📌Clinical Features • Fatigue, weightloss, muscle weakness • Postural hypotension, salt craving, nausea, vomiting • Hyperpigmentation (palmar creases, buccalmucosa) • Electrolyte issues: ↓ Na+, ↑ K+, ↓ glucose 🧠Salt + Sugar + Skin= Addison’s 📌Adrenal Crisis 🚨 Medical emergency • Triggers: illness,surgery, steroid withdrawal • Signs: shock, confusion,severe hypotension, vomiting, collapse • Immediatetreatment: → IV hydrocortisone 100 mg stat → IV 0.9% saline (+ dextrose if hypoglycaemic) 🧠Don’t delay – treatfirst, confirm later 📌Diagnosis • Morning cortisol (8–9 am) 500 = unlikely Addison’s 100 = highly suggestive 100–500 = needs short Synacthen test• ACTH test = Low cortisol + ↑ ACTH = Primary Addison’s• Electrolytes: ↓ Na+, ↑ K+, ↓ glucose • Anti-21 hydroxylase antibodies = autoimmune confirmation🧠 Synacthen = Synthetic ACTH 📌Management • Hydrocortisone (divided doses to mimiccircadian rhythm) • Fludrocortisone (if aldosterone low – inprimary only) • Sick Day Rules: Double/triple hydrocortisoneduring illness • Emergency IM hydrocortisone kit – life-saving • Carry steroid card + medicalID 🧠Hydro = Hormone,Fludro = Fluid balance 📌Long-term Care &Monitoring • Annualendocrinology review • Monitor: symptoms,BP, electrolytes, renin levels • Educate on crisisprevention, injection training, travel prep 🧠Education =Prevention 📌Complications • Adrenal crisis (life-threatening if untreated) • Reduced quality of life (fatigue, low libido) • Osteoporosis (possible with long-term steroiduse) • Associatedautoimmune diseases: T1DM, Hashimoto’s, Perniciousanaemia, Vitiligo 📚Addison’s DiseaseMSRA Resources 📝 Revision Notes: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/addisons... (https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/addisons...) 🧠 Flashcards: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/addisons... (https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/addisons...) ❓ Q&A Accordions: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/addisons... (https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/addisons...) 🔥 Rapid Quiz: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/addisons... (https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/addisons...) Hashtags #MSRA#AddisonsDisease #AdrenalCrisis #EndocrinologyMSRA #MSRAFlashcards #MSRAQuiz#ACTHtest #SynacthenTest #PrimaryAdrenalInsufficiency #SickDayRules#MSRADeepDive #MSRAPodcast #MSRAHighYield Episode link: https://play.headliner.app/episode/2720335...