Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 5

Addison's Disease is a disorder characterized by insufficient production of steroid hormones (primarily cortisol and aldosterone) by the adrenal cortex. The use of adrenal cortex extracts in treating Addison's Disease is rooted in both historical and scientific evidence. Historically, before synthetic corticosteroids were developed, extracts of adrenal cortex from animals were used as a pioneering therapy for Addison's Disease. In 1930, Thomas Addison himself and later researchers demonstrated that administering adrenal extracts to patients with adrenal insufficiency could temporarily alleviate symptoms such as fatigue, hypotension, and weight loss. However, these crude extracts were inconsistent and posed risks of contamination and allergic reactions.

The scientific basis for this therapy is robust: the adrenal cortex is responsible for producing vital hormones necessary for life, and Addison’s Disease results from their deficiency. In modern medicine, the standard of care is the replacement of these hormones with synthetic corticosteroids (hydrocortisone, prednisone, or fludrocortisone), which are purified, standardized, and much safer than glandular extracts. There is overwhelming clinical evidence (rated 5/5) that replacing the deficient hormones is essential for patient survival and health. However, while the original use of actual adrenal cortex tissue has been superseded by synthetic analogs, the scientific rationale for targeting this deficit remains the foundation of current therapy.

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