Addison's Disease Support Group

Addison's disease (also known as chronic adrenal insufficiency, or hypocortisolism) is a rare endocrine disorder. It is estimated that it affects about 1 to 2 in 100,000 people. It occurs when the adrenal glands, seated above the kidneys, fail to produce enough of the hormone cortisol and, sometimes, the hormone aldosterone

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sinead92 08/30/2011

I was with my GP the other day about a black vertical stripe down my thumbnail which is there a gud few months now and it doesnt grow out of the nail. I was wondering if anyone else has this?
Also when I was with my doctor she called my addisons Disease 'Cushings'.
Is Addison's Disease and Cushings the same thing?

Thanks :)

webber 08/31/2011

Hi Sinead92, I am also sorry that you are having to deal with your GP instead of a good endo. I agree with Jen that Addison's and Cushings are different but they are both autoimmune diseases that effect the body with similar symptoms.
As for the line on your nail; I have many of those. The lines are what initially had me asking my GP what they were. She wasn't sure and referred me to a dermotologist to see if they were related to skin issues. My dermotologist took many blood test because she thought they were related to my celiac disease or that I had hemochromotosis; which I did not. Finally I was referred to an endo who immediately tested me for Addison's. My endo was amazed that I was able to function at all because blood levels were the worst she had ever seen and I had the darkest tan and pattern tan areas she had ever seen. She had interns and residents and med. students in to see me because she said that they may never see a case of Addison's as clear cut as mine in their career. So, in my opinion the line on your fingernail is definitely related to Addison's. There are pictures online of a few other people with Addison's line.

sinead92 09/01/2011

Thanks for the replies, the really helped :)

Vanyel 09/03/2011

Just to help clear things up a bit - Addison's disease is, as we all know, when the adrenal glands make no cortisol. Cushings Disease is the opposite - it is when the adrenal glands make too much cortisol. Sometimes people who take high doses of steroids, like prednisone, they develop symptoms of cushing's disease. Things like a moon face, a hump of fat on the upper back and shoulders that they call a buffalo hump, thin skin, high blood pressure, etc. Hope that helps.

Vanyel

deleted_user 09/26/2011

I always appreciate your feedback, Vanyel!

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