Hydrocortisone Replacement
Your body is dependent on the production of steroids (cortisol) to function. If your body is not producing enough steroids (as assessed by a blood test) you will be asked to start on hydrocortisone tablets.
When your body is put under stress with an illness, accident etc it produces more cortisol. If you are unable to produce enough cortisol your body will be unable to mount this response. It is therefore important at these times that you double your normal hydrocortisone replacement.
If you are vomiting or have severe diarrhoea you may not be absorbing your hydrocortisone adequately. Under these circumstances you should seek urgent medical attention to get an intramuscular injection of hydrocortisone.
It is important that, if you were involved in an accident etc, the medical team looking after you are aware that you are on hydrocortisone replacement. We therefore recommend that you get a MedicAlert bracelet /pendant.
More information is available from the NZ Addison's Network