Table 5.
Clinical Features of Adrenal Insufficiency
| Type of adrenal insufficiency | Clinical features | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Primary | Hyperpigmentation | 92%–100% |
| Dehydration, salt craving | 12%–20% | |
| Hyperkalemia | 64% | |
| Adrenal calcification | ||
| Vitiligo | 8%–20% | |
| Secondary or tertiary | Signs of other pituitary hormone deficiencies | |
| Delayed puberty | ||
| Headaches, visual field deficits | ||
| Both | Gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea alternating with constipation) | 56%–92% |
| Hyponatremia | 88% | |
| Hypoglycemia (more common in secondary AI) | ||
| Orthostatic hypotension | 56%–90% | |
| Anorexia, weight loss | 73%–100% | |
| Fatigue, generalized malaise | 95%–100% | |
| Amenorrhea | 25% | |
| Decreased libido, loss of axillary, or pubic hair in women | ||
| Depression | 20%–40% | |
| Auricular cartilage calcification | 5% | |
| Normocytic anemia | 13%–40% | |
| Eosinophilia | 17% | |
| Hypercalcemia | 5% |