Q: Is there any way that patients with Addison's Disease might help prevent osteoporosis due to long term steroid replacement therapy.

A: Hydrocortisone replacement therapy when properly monitored should precisely replace the amount of corticosteroid normally made by a patient. Thus there should be no effects that are normally associated with "long-term steroid therapy". It is only when more steroids than the body normally makes is taken has steroid side effects such as osteoporosis occur. Osteoporosis should not occur simply because of steroid replacement therapy in Addison's Disease since this should not be given in excessive amounts. Of course osteoporosis is common and patients with Addison' Disease may get just the same as anybody else but it should not be due to steroid therapy since this should not be given in excessive amounts.