Morning cortisol level is typically what value in Addison's disease?

Morning cortisol level is typically what value in Addison's disease?

• A. <5 mcg/dL
• B. >20 mcg/dL
• C. Normal
• D. Elevated 15

Answer: (A)

In Addison’s disease, the adrenal cortex can’t produce enough cortisol, and the normal morning surge in cortisol is blunted. Because of this, a baseline morning cortisol level is usually very low. A value below about 5 micrograms per deciliter is strongly suggestive of primary adrenal insufficiency, since cortisol production is so diminished at a time when it would normally be highest. Higher values make Addison’s unlikely, while intermediate results (roughly in the 5–15 range) require additional testing, such as an ACTH stimulation test, to confirm or exclude adrenal insufficiency. So the typical finding in Addison’s is a morning cortisol level that’s less than 5 mcg/dL.

In Addison’s disease, the adrenal cortex can’t produce enough cortisol, and the normal morning surge in cortisol is blunted. Because of this, a baseline morning cortisol level is usually very low. A value below about 5 micrograms per deciliter is strongly suggestive of primary adrenal insufficiency, since cortisol production is so diminished at a time when it would normally be highest. Higher values make Addison’s unlikely, while intermediate results (roughly in the 5–15 range) require additional testing, such as an ACTH stimulation test, to confirm or exclude adrenal insufficiency. So the typical finding in Addison’s is a morning cortisol level that’s less than 5 mcg/dL.