Addison’s disease presenting as shortness of breath and hypotension in early pregnancy

Abstract

Background: Addison’s disease is an adrenal cortex disorder that is considered rare and the pathophysiology is not well understood. There are very few cases reported during pregnancy.

Case: Our patient is a 30-year-old previously healthy female that presented to the Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility clinic at 7 weeks and 2 days pregnant with shortness of breath. After further evaluation, she was noted to have symptoms that led to the differential diagnosis of Addison’s disease. The patient’s 21 hydroxylase antibody was positive which along with the other tests, confirmed the diagnosis. Endocrinology started the patient on hydrocortisone and fludrocortisone.

Conclusion: There is more research that needs to be done but the rarity of this disorder makes this case important for understanding Addison’s disease and its treatment.