Media and Commentary - The Guardian Ask Emma

By Editorial Team  Tuesday, 01. April 2003

We would like to express our dismay that The Guardian offers ill-informed and impractical advice to an individual in the early stages of Addison’s disease.

Read the article: (Ask Emma column, Weekend p51, 7/7/02). 

Read the ADSHG response to : The Guardian - Ask Emma

Addison's disease is a progressive condition in which the adrenal glands gradually cease to function.  Undiagnosed or under-medicated it can be fatal.  With the right balance of medication, Addisonians can lead full and active lives. John F Kennedy was the best-known individual with the condition.

We suggest that Emma’s correspondent will feel more benefit from taking their morning medication BEFORE getting out of bed than they would derive from Emma’s regime of dietary restrictions and supplements.  Taking the medication on an empty stomach allows it to be absorbed and become active in the bloodstream most quickly, restoring the Addisonian’s hormone levels to those of a healthy person. If Emma's correspondent continues to feel below par, then they should ask to have their medication levels checked. This may involve a set of blood tests known as a hydrocortisone day curve analysis.

It is important that anyone with Addison's disease should take vitamins and herbal supplements only with the approval of their endocrinologist. Potassium supplements and liquorice should be avoided in most cases, as these can cause adrenal complications.

More information on how to manage Addison’s disease can be found on the website of the Addison’s Disease Self-Help Group at www.addisonsdisease.org.uk.

Finally, we would like to remind Emma’s correspondent that all Addisonians are entitled to receive their medication free of the standard NHS prescription charge, once their GP has completed a Medical Exemption Certificate for them. 

 Yours sincerely,

Sarah Baker
Deana Kenward
Katherine White
Nick Willson

On behalf of the Addison’s Disease Self-Help Group