Which laboratory findings are associated with Addison's disease?

Addison's disease, or primary adrenal insufficiency, is characterized by the underproduction of adrenal hormones, particularly cortisol and aldosterone. This leads to a variety of metabolic and electrolyte imbalances.

In this condition, hyponatremia occurs due to a lack of aldosterone, which is responsible for sodium retention. The absence of this hormone means that the kidneys excrete sodium instead of conserving it, leading to low sodium levels in the blood. Hypoglycemia is also commonly seen because cortisol normally helps maintain glucose levels; with its deficiency, the body struggles to regulate blood sugar effectively. Hyperkalemia is another relevant finding as the lack of aldosterone results in poor potassium excretion by the kidneys, causing potassium levels to rise.

Therefore, the combination of hyponatremia, hypoglycemia, and hyperkalemia directly correlates with the pathophysiological processes involved in Addison's disease, making this set of laboratory findings the most representative of the condition.