Adrenal Insufficiency

This condition is treated in the Endocrinology clinic.

Pre-referral work-up

History

All referrals should comply to the referral standards and also include:

• Symptoms of adrenal insufficiency such as fatigue, weight loss, pigmentation, nausea, vomiting, hypotension, hyponatraemia, hyperkalaemia, hypoglycaemia
• Medication history is important as the condition may be caused by cessation of glucocorticoid therapy

Tests

• U&E Cr, eGFr
• Serum glucose
• Cortisol
• Cortisol response to Synacthen (short Synacthen test)
• Renin, aldosterone
• Pituitary tests if evidence of ACTH deficiency

Interim/GP management

To refer a patient with this condition, please see the Endocrinology clinic page for the full referral process and templates.

For more information please see the HealthPathways Tasmania website.

Clinic appointments

? Red location flags are clinical indicators of possible serious underlying conditions requiring further medical intervention. They may or may not indicate an emergency.

Emergency

? Confirmed acute adrenal insufficiency
? Severe untreated chronic adrenal insufficiency

If you, or someone else, are experiencing a serious and life-threatening injury or illness call triple zero (000) immediately or go to the nearest Emergency Department.

Learn more about when to access emergency care and non-emergency care options if the injury or illness is not serious or life-threatening.

Urgent (Category 1)

? Suspected acute adrenal insufficiency
? Confirmed cases of adrenal insufficiency

Urgent referrals should be accompanied by a phone call to the Consultant/Registrar to organise urgent review.

We will endeavour to see these patients within four weeks, or sooner if clinically indicated.

Semi-urgent (Category 2)

Cases of suspected cases of adrenal insufficiency

Availability

North

John Morris Diabetes Centre
Northern Integrated Care Centre

Phone: 6777 4145
Fax: 6777 5247

North West

North West Regional Hospital
Phone: 6493 6300
Fax: 6464 1928

Mersey Community Hospital
Phone: 1800 636 455
Fax: 6441 5928

Diabetes Centre
North West Regional Hospital
Phone: 6493 6100
Fax: 6431 8061

Diabetes Clinic
Devonport Community Health Centre
Phone: 6493 6100
Fax: 6441 5946

Paediatric
North West Regional Hospital
Phone: 6493 6300
Fax: 6464 1928

South

Wellington Clinics
Phone: 03 6166 0000
Fax: 03 6234 3982