What is Addison's Disease primarily characterized by?

Addison's Disease is primarily characterized by adrenal insufficiency, which occurs when the adrenal glands do not produce enough hormones, particularly cortisol and aldosterone. This insufficiency can lead to various symptoms including fatigue, weakness, weight loss, low blood pressure, and changes in skin pigmentation. The adrenal glands may also produce insufficient levels of other hormones, which contributes to the overall symptoms experienced by individuals with Addison's Disease.

In contrast, hyperadrenal function and excessive cortisol production relate to conditions such as Cushing's syndrome, where there is an overproduction of adrenal hormones. Similarly, the overproduction of aldosterone is linked to other disorders such as Conn's syndrome, not Addison's Disease. Therefore, understanding that Addison's Disease is fundamentally about insufficient hormone production rather than excessive hormone levels is crucial for recognizing its primary characteristics.