Addison's disease

American  

noun

Pathology.

1. a disease characterized by asthenia, low blood pressure, and a brownish coloration of the skin, due to decreased secretion of cortisol from the adrenal cortex, resulting in hypoadrenalism.

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Addison's disease British  

/ ˈædɪsənz /

noun

1. Also called: adrenal insufficiency.  a disease characterized by deep bronzing of the skin, anaemia, and extreme weakness, caused by underactivity of the adrenal glands

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Etymology

Origin of Addison's disease

1855–60; named after T. Addison, who described it

Example Sentences

Adrenal insufficiency, also known as Addison’s disease, was a fatal condition until hydrocortisone was invented in the 1930s.

From Slate • Sep. 9, 2025

It can spot signs of conditions caused by dysfunctional levels of stress hormones, like diabetes and Addison's disease, said researchers.

From BBC • Jun. 21, 2023

Among these conditions was Addison's disease, an adrenal gland disease that was often fatal in JFK's era.

From Salon • Feb. 21, 2023

Hyposecretion of the corticosteroids can cause Addison’s disease, which may result in bronzing of the skin, hypoglycemia, and low electrolyte levels in the blood.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

It seemed suggestive, however, that DDD produced in dogs a condition very similar to that occurring in man in the presence of Addison’s disease.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson