What is Addison’s disease? The debilitating illness revealed that killed TikTok star Taylor Rousseau Grigg’s cause of death
TikToker Taylor Rousseau Grigg died last week from complications of a one-in-100,000 hormonal illness, her family revealed.
The 25-year-old’s ‘sudden and unexpected’ passing was determined to be from Addison’s disease, a rare autoimmune condition in which the body doesn’t produce enough hormones responsible for metabolism, stress, and immune health.
Also suffering from asthma, the influencer told her TikTok audience that she felt like she was ‘fighting for my life’ after over a yearlong struggle with a mystery illness.
The condition develops slowly, making it difficult to spot early. It’s unclear what complications Ms Grigg experienced, but the condition can lead to organ damage if left untreated.
Read on for everything you need to know about Addison’s disease:
TikTok star Taylor Rousseau Grigg’s (pictured here) cause of death has been revealed to be the rare condition Addison’s disease
The 25-year-old influencer had suffered from a mystery disease for over a year before her death; seen with husband Cameron Grigg
What is Addison’s disease?
Also called adrenal insufficiency, Addison’s disease is a condition in which the body adrenal glands don’t produce enough of the hormones cortisol and aldosterone.
The adrenal glands are located on top of both kidneys and are responsible for controlling hormones that regulate metabolism, immune health, blood pressure, and stress response.
Cortisol is known as the ‘stress hormone,’ as it increases blood pressure and heart rate to put the body in ‘fight-or-flight mode and raises blood sugar levels to provide energy.
Aldosterone, meanwhile, regulates blood pressure and sodium and potassium levels in the blood.
If the body can’t produce enough of these hormones, the body can go into an adrenal crisis, also called an Addisonian crisis. This causes shock, which prevents blood flow to vital organs and can lead to death.
What causes Addison’s disease?
Addison’s disease occurs when the immune system begins attacking the adrenal glands.
Historically, tuberculosis was the main culprit and still is in developing countries.
Infections like HIV, bleeding in the adrenal glands, and cancer can also increase the risk of developing Addison’s disease.
How common is it?
Addison’s disease affects about one in 100,000 Americans.
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, the condition most often affects women between ages 30 and 50, though it can occur at any age.
In addition to Grigg, the disease also affected President John F Kennedy. He was diagnosed with the condition in 1947 at age 30.
What are the symptoms?
Grigg is pictured on March 16 when she had to be hospitalized and be put on a ventilator
Though Addison’s disease is treatable with hormone replacement therapy, it can lead to organ damage. Ms Grigg is pictured here in the hospital months before her death
Since damage to the adrenal flands tends to occur slowly over time, symptoms develop gradually. Stress, such as injury or illness, may make symptoms worse.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, steadily worsening fatigue is the most common symptom, followed by having patches of dark skin called hyperpigmentation.
Patients may also experience abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, appetite loss, weight loss, muscle pain, and dehydration.
Cleveland Clinic also notes that patients may crave salty food or have low blood presusre and low blood sugar.
Women may also have irregular periods, lose body hair, or notice an irregular sex drive.
If a patient falls into an adrenal crisis, they may have extreme weakness, severe pain in the lower back and legs, restlessness, confusion, severe vomiting and diarrhea, and loss of consciousness.
How is Addison’s disease diagnosed?
Cameron Grigg (pictured here) announced his wife’s death on Saturday and revealed she would be donating her organs
Since symptoms develop gradually, patients may have a delayed diagnosis.
It may also be discovered through routine blood tests showing low levels of sodium and potassium from a lack of cortisol and aldosterone.
In addition to blood tests, doctors may perform an ACTH stimulation test, which measures how the adrenal glands respond to an artifical dose of cortisol and aldosterone.
If the adrenal glands only produce low levels of the hormones after the shot, it may signal Addison’s disease.
A CT scan may also show damage to the adrenal glands.
How is Addison’s disease treated?
Addison’s disease is usually treated with lifelong hormone replacement therapy to help the body produce enough cortisol and aldosterone.
Doctors may also recommend adding more salt to your diet due to low levels of sodium in the blood.
Can Addison’s disease be prevented?
There is no way to prevent Addison’s disease.
