A patient with chronic adrenal insufficiency (hypoadrenalism) may present with chronic musculoskeletal complaints.
Musculoskeletal complaints that can occur in adrenal insufficiency:
(1) arthralgias
(2) peri-articular symptoms
(3) myalgias
(4) fatigue
The patient may have hypercalcemia. This may be associated with ectopic soft tissue calcifications, especially in the ear pinna.
The patient may have vague or poorly explained symptoms such as:
(1) anorexia
(2) malaise
(3) hypotension
(4) depression that is poorly responsive to therapy
If adrenal insufficiency is suspected, then the patient should have a complete physical examination and laboratory testing (serum ACTH, serum cortisol, etc).
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