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TikToker Taylor Rousseau Grigg died last week from complications of a hormonal disease that occurs one in 100,000, her family revealed.
The 25-year-old’s “sudden and unexpected” death was determined to be due to Addison’s disease, a rare autoimmune condition in which the body does not produce enough hormones responsible for metabolism, stress and immune health.
The influencer, who also suffers from asthma, told her TikTok audience that she felt like she was “fighting for my life” after more than a year of battling a mystery illness.
The condition develops slowly, making it difficult to detect early. It is unclear what complications Ms Grigg experienced, but the condition can lead to organ damage if left untreated.
Read on to learn everything you need to know about Addison’s disease:
The cause of death of TikTok star Taylor Rousseau Grigg (pictured here) has been revealed to be rare Addison’s disease.
The 25-year-old influencer had been suffering from a mysterious illness for more than a year before her death; seen with her husband Cameron Grigg
What is Addison’s disease?
Also called adrenal insufficiency, Addison’s disease is a condition in which the body’s adrenal glands do not produce enough of the hormones cortisol and aldosterone.
The adrenal glands are located above 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, for its part, regulates blood pressure and sodium and potassium levels in the blood.
If the body cannot produce enough hormones, the body can suffer 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 to attack the adrenal glands.
Historically, tuberculosis was the main culprit and still is in developing countries.
Infections such as 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 approximately one in every 100,000 Americans.
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, the condition most often affects women between the ages of 30 and 50, although it can occur at any age.
In addition to Grigg, the disease also affected President John F. Kennedy. He was diagnosed with the disease in 1947, at the age of 30.
What are the symptoms?
Grigg is pictured on March 16 when she had to be hospitalized and put on a ventilator.
Although Addison’s disease can be treated with hormone replacement therapy, it can cause organ damage. Mrs. Grigg appears here in the hospital months before her death.
Since damage to the adrenal glands tends to occur slowly over time, symptoms develop gradually. Stress, such as an injury or illness, can make symptoms worse.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, the most common symptom is steadily worsening fatigue, followed by patches of dark skin called hyperpigmentation.
Patients may also experience abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, muscle pain, and dehydration.
Cleveland Clinic also notes that patients may crave salty foods or have low blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
Women may also have irregular periods, lose body hair, or notice an irregular sexual desire.
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) announced his wife’s death on Saturday and revealed he would donate her organs.
Since symptoms develop gradually, patients may have a late diagnosis.
It can also be discovered through routine blood tests that show low levels of sodium and potassium due to 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 artificial dose of cortisol and aldosterone.
If the adrenal glands only produce low levels of hormones after the injection, it may indicate Addison’s disease.
A CT scan can 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 make enough cortisol and aldosterone.
Doctors may also recommend adding more salt to your diet due to low blood sodium levels.
Can Addison’s disease be prevented?
There is no way to prevent Addison’s disease.