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Postgraduate Medical Journal logoLink to Postgraduate Medical Journal
. 2000 Apr;76(894):230–232. doi: 10.1136/pmj.76.894.230

Addison's disease in type 1 diabetes presenting with recurrent hypoglycaemia

V McAulay 1, B Frier 1
PMCID: PMC1741569  PMID: 10727569

Abstract

Primary adrenal insufficiency (Addison's disease) often develops insidiously. Although a rare disorder, it is more common in type 1 diabetes mellitus. A 19 year old male with type 1 diabetes and autoimmune hypothyroidism experienced recurrent severe hypoglycaemia over several months, despite a reduction in insulin dose, culminating in an adrenal crisis. Recurrent severe hypoglycaemia resolved after identification and treatment of the adrenocortical insufficiency. In type 1 diabetes, undiagnosed Addison's disease can influence glycaemic control and induce severe hypoglycaemia.


Keywords: type 1 diabetes; Addison's disease; hypoglycaemia; cortisol

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