Which statement best describes corticosteroid therapy for Addison's disease?

• A. It is only during illness.
• B. It is a lifelong replacement therapy.
• C. It is only during stress.
• D. It is not necessary if asymptomatic.

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is that people with Addison’s disease need corticosteroid replacement for life. When the adrenal cortex is damaged, the body can’t produce cortisol reliably, so the body’s needs aren’t being met even if you feel fine at times. That means therapy is continuous and lifelong to maintain a baseline level of cortisol and prevent a crisis during stress.

During illness or major stress, the dose is temporarily increased to mimic the normal surge your body would make, but this doesn’t replace the need for ongoing, everyday replacement. If someone feels asymptomatic, that doesn’t mean the deficiency has gone away or that treatment isn’t needed—replacement remains essential because the underlying problem persists.

In practice, glucocorticoid replacement (often with hydrocortisone) is part of a lifelong plan, and mineralocorticoid replacement may also be needed to handle electrolyte balance. The key takeaway is that lifelong corticosteroid therapy is required, with temporary dose increases only for periods of illness or stress.