Addisons as an underlying primary disorder

[1cc]

Originally Posted by love_en

If that were so, there would never be a need for fludrocortisone in cases of Addison's. Salt loading simply masks the true issue of mineralcorticoid deficiency.

Have you used fludrocortisone with success?

[love_en]

Yes, however fooling with my adrenals may have put me in the same boat as Dano79. Fludrocortisone is sold as Astonin or Florinef in 0.1mg tablets. This is some very powerful stuff. A slight overage in dose causes excessive water and sodium retention, along with a loss of potassium. If you do need this, your dose is 1/2 to 1 tablet per day. No more, unless your bloodwork indicates otherwise. You probably need hydocortisone more than anything else, because mostly in full adrenal failure, do you see salt and fluid wasting. A lack of energy is more indicative of a need for cortisol, which hydrocortisone replaces.

[1cc]

Interesting info from the following link:
http://my.webmd.com/hw/hormonal_disorders/hw65893.asp

Medications to replace the hormones cortisol and aldosterone.
Hydrocortisone is often used because it can function like both of these
hormones. If another medication is used instead of hydrocortisone (such
as prednisolone, methylprednisolone, or dexamethasone), you also will
need a medication that can function like aldosterone (usually
fludrocortisone).

[love_en]

Treatment of hormonal deficiencies is normally a very straightforward procedure. However, unless you are diabetic, good luck finding an endo who has not already made up his/her mind that you do not have a problem.