What You Don't Know About Addison's Disease

When I go through a potentially near death low cortisol crisis there is a hormone, ACTH from my pituitary gland in my brain that is released.

ACTH is the hormone that regulates the cortisol in your blood.

Blood cortisol too low is detected by the brain.

Brain releases ACTH to tell adrenal glands to make more cortisol.

When brain detects cortisol is optimal, ACTH is lowered and adrenal glands produces less ACTH.

The cycle continues 24 hours a day to sustain life.

My cortisol is maintained by the medication I take through my infusion pump 24 hours a day.

When my cortisol goes low my brain detects low cortisol and releases ACTH.

Adrenals do not respond. Blood cortisol is not raised.

BRAIN PANICS.
More ACTH. More ACTH. More ACTH.
BRAIN PANICS

When ACTH is in access in the blood it binds to the respectors in my cells that are responsible for tanning.

The dark circles under my eyes are not from lack of sleep .

The ACTH settles quickly in my skin creating dark circles under my eyes, my checks and chest, dark elbows and even palms of my hands.

We call it the "TAN OF DEATH"

It can stay for weeks or months depending on the severity of the crisis.

When I was diagnosed my ACTH levels were over 600.
Normal is less than 10.

My brain was screaming and screaming at my adrenal glands.

She is dying. You have to save her.