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Addison Disease Center - Tallahassee, FL

Tallahassee Endocrinologist Doctors for Addison Disease

Type of Physician: Endocrinologist

What is a Endocrinologist?

A subspecialty certification by the Board of Internal Medicine; practitioners treat disorders of the internal (endocrine) glands such as the thyroid and adrenal glands. Endocrinology also deals with disorders such as diabetes, metabolic and nutritional disorders, pituitary diseases, and menstrual and sexual problems.

Specialty: Endocrinology

Common Name:

Endocrinologist Doctors in Tallahassee *

North Florida Regional Thyroid Center
Celeste B Hart
1705 S Adams St
Tallahassee, FL 32301
(850) 224-7154

Tallahassee Endocrine Associates
Terry Sherraden
2406 E Plaza Dr
Tallahassee, FL 32308
(850) 877-7387

Endocrine Medicine Assoc
Amir Manzoor
643 Highway 231
Panama City, FL 32405
(850) 770-4051

Tallahassee, Florida

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Addison's Disease

What is Addison's disease?

Addison's disease is an endocrine or hormonal disorder that occurs in all age groups and afflicts men and women equally. The disease is characterized by weight loss, muscle weakness, fatigue, low blood pressure, and sometimes darkening of the skin in both exposed and nonexposed parts of the body.

How does Addison's disease occur?

Addison's disease occurs when the adrenal glands do not produce enough of the hormone cortisol and, in some cases, the hormone aldosterone. The disease is also called adrenal insufficiency, or hypocortisolism.

What is cortisol?

Cortisol is normally produced by the adrenal glands, located just above the kidneys. It belongs to a class of hormones called glucocorticoids, which affect almost every organ and tissue in the body. Scientists think that cortisol has possibly hundreds of effects in the body. Cortisol's most important job is to help the body respond to stress. Among its other vital tasks, cortisol:

  • helps maintain blood pressure and heart function
  • helps slow the immune system's inflammation response
  • helps balance the effects of insulin in breaking down sugar for energy
  • helps regulate the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats
  • helps maintain proper arousal and sense of well-being

How is cortisol regulated?

Because cortisol is so vital to health, the amount of cortisol produced by the adrenals is precisely balanced. Like many other hormones, cortisol is regulated by the brain's hypothalamus and the pituitary gland, a bean-sized organ at the base of the brain. First, the hypothalamus sends "releasing hormones" to the pituitary gland. The pituitary responds by secreting hormones that regulate growth and thyroid and adrenal function, and sex hormones such as estrogen and testosterone. One of the...

Recommended Reading Related to Addison's Disease

Hyperkalemia (High Blood Potassium) »

What is hyperkalemia?

Hyperkalemia is common; it is diagnosed in up to 8% of hospitalized patients in the U.S. Fortunately, most patients have mild hyperkalemia (which is usually well tolerated). However, any condition causing even mild hyperkalemia should be treated to prevent progression into more severe hyperkalemia. Extremely high levels of potassium in the blood (severe hyperkalemia) can lead to cardiac arrest and death. When not recognized and treated properly, severe hyperkalemia results in a mortality rate of about 67%.

Technically, hyperkalemia means an abnormally elevated level of potassium in the blood. The normal potassium level in the blood is 3.5-5.0 milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L). Potassium levels between 5.1 mEq/L to 6.0 mEq/L reflect mild hyperkalemia. Potassium levels of 6.1 mEq/L to 7.0 mEq/L are moderate hyperkalemia, and levels above 7 mEq/L are severe hyperkalemia.

How does hyperkalemia affect t...

Emergency Contact for Tallahassee

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Tallahassee Hospitals *

Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare
1300 Miccosukee Rd
Tallahassee, FL 32308
(850)431-1155

HEALTHSOUTH Tallahassee Rehabilitation Hospital
1675 Riggins Rd
Tallahassee, FL 32308
(850)656-4800

Capital Regional Medical Center
2626 Capital Medical Blvd
Tallahassee, FL 32308
(850)325-5000

Eastside Psychiatric Hospital of Apalachee Center
2634 Capital Cir NE
Tallahassee, FL 32308
(850)523-3300

Grady General Hospital
1155 5th St SE
Cairo, GA 39828
(229)377-1150

Southwestern State Hospital
400 S Pinetree Blvd
Thomasville, GA 31792
(229)227-2700

John D Archbold Memorial Hospital
915 Gordon Ave
Thomasville, GA 31792
(229)228-2000

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