adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) – a rare, life-limiting inherited condition that affects the adrenal glands and nerve cells in the brain, and is mostly seen in young boys.

surgical removal of both adrenal glands (adrenalectomy) – for example, to remove a tumour.

amyloidosis – a disease where amyloid, a protein produced by your bone marrow cells, builds up in your adrenal glands and damages them.

cancer – if cancer cells from elsewhere in your body spread to your adrenal glands.a haemorrhage – very heavy bleeding into the adrenal glands, sometimes associated with meningitis or other types of severe sepsis.infections – such as those linked to AIDS, or fungal infections.Other possible causes of Addison's disease include: TB is a bacterial infection that mostly affects the lungs but can also spread to other parts of your body. It can cause Addison's disease if it damages your adrenal glands.

Tuberculosis (TB) is the most common cause of Addison's disease worldwide, but it's rare in the UK. type 1 diabetes – a long-term condition caused by your body not producing insulin.vitiligo – a long-term condition that causes pale, white patches to develop on the skin.It's not clear how these genes lead to Addison's disease and similar conditions, but it does mean your risk of developing Addison's disease is increased if you or a close family member have another autoimmune condition, such as: Research has shown that some people with certain genes are more likely to develop autoimmune disorders. It's not clear why some people develop this problem with their immune system, although it can run in families. Once levels of these start decreasing, you'll experience symptoms of Addison's disease. When 90% of the adrenal cortex is destroyed, your adrenal glands will not be able to produce enough of the steroid hormones cortisol and aldosterone. This is called an autoimmune disorder.Īddison's disease can develop if your immune system attacks your adrenal glands and severely damages your adrenal cortex. However, if you develop a problem with your immune system, it can start to attack your own healthy tissues and organs. These antibodies attack the cause of the illness. If you're ill, your immune system produces antibodies – a special type of protein that destroys disease-carrying organisms and toxins. The immune system is your body's defence against infection and disease. Problems with the immune systemĪ problem with the immune system is the most common cause of Addison's disease in the UK. Addison's disease develops when the outer layer of your adrenal glands (adrenal cortex) is damaged, reducing the levels of hormones it produces.

Where is my adrenal gland located