What is a common lab finding in Addison's disease?

In Addison's disease, the adrenal glands do not produce sufficient amounts of cortisol and, in some cases, aldosterone. One of the hallmark lab findings in this condition is low cortisol levels, which occur because of the adrenal insufficiency caused by damage to the adrenal cortex. As a compensatory response, the pituitary gland increases the production of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) to stimulate the adrenal glands to produce more cortisol. However, since the adrenal glands are not functioning properly, cortisol levels remain low despite the elevated ACTH levels. This high ACTH level does not lead to an increase in cortisol due to the primary adrenal insufficiency, making this finding a key indicator of Addison's disease. Therefore, the correct assessment is that patients with this condition typically present with low cortisol levels and elevated ACTH levels, reflecting the failure of the adrenal glands to respond to the pituitary signal effectively.