Magazine - Winter 2026

Welcome to our latest members' magazine - available for download now!

Packed with news, views and expert advice from the Addison's and adrenal insufficiency community, to help you live well and manage your condition, sent exclusively to our members twice a year.

Our Winter Magazine (January 2026)

In this issue, we share how the charity is working to improve care, from time-critical medication with the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM), the prescription project (supporting you in updosing and the Sick Day Rules), and training paramedics.

Hear real-life experiences from members sharing their stories, be inspired by amazing fundraisers, the Fantastic 15 LLHM runners, and hear the latest from our members' regional social meetings.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this issue, and to ADSHG member Sarah, who has Addison's herself, for her beautiful artwork on the front cover.

If you would like to share your story, your artwork or to contribute in some way to our next issue, please email [email protected]

Click the button below to read! The magazine requires members' online forum log-in.

Read our Winter 2026 Issue

Our members can receive their magazine either digitally or by post (postal members only).

If you are not yet a member but would like to receive our Addison's Magazine, don't hesitate to join our charity today - it is just one of the many member benefits you will receive. Plus your membership will help keep our vital support and education services running.

Together we can make a difference! Be aware, be prepared, be understood.

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Latest

Manchester Member Get-Together: 26 Sept 2026

Join our second Member Get-Together in 2026, to be held in Manchester on Saturday 26 September. Find out more and how to get your tickets!
Professor John Wass Research Grant Winner 2026

We are proud to award a £10,000 grant to support Dr Punith Kempegowda and Dr Amanda Ling from the University of Birmingham with their research into the management of adrenal crises in UK hospitals. The data collected will help clarify best practice and drive improvement in adrenal crisis care.
ADSHG AGM - Saturday 4 July 2026

Sign up to attend the 2026 AGM for the Addison's Disease Self-Help Group. Enjoy a presentation from the John Wass Research Grant Award winners for 2026 about their research study around adrenal crisis management in hospitals.
Emily’s Story: Sharing Life with Addison’s Online

Emily is a content creator who shares her journey with Addison’s online, alongside her countryside living in the Lake District. For her advocacy is more than awareness, it’s about making our “invisible” health condition seen and understood.

Professor John Wass Research Grant Winner 2026

We are proud to award a £10,000 grant to support Dr Punith Kempegowda and Dr Amanda Ling from the University of Birmingham with their research into the management of adrenal crises in UK hospitals. The data collected will help clarify best practice and drive improvement in adrenal crisis care.
Today is Addison's Disease Day 2026!

Whether you live with primary (Addison's), secondary, or tertiary adrenal insufficiency, this day is for you. For 2026 our theme is ‘Turn Awareness into Action’, a call to move beyond knowing and into doing. Find out how we're taking action and how you can get involved!
Research Study: Your Experience of Preventing & Managing Adrenal Crisis

Your experience matters. Please complete the online questionnaire or register for a 1:1 interview. This important patient study on the Prevention & Management of Adrenal Crisis is led by Dr Sofia Llahana & is partly funded & in collaboration with the Addison's Disease Self-Help Group.
Efmody® (modified-release hydrocortisone) receives MHRA approval for adrenal insufficiency in the UK

Following the MHRA approval of Efmody® for use with adrenal insufficiency patients in the UK, we bring you more information on how Efmody® works, the research supporting it's benefits, and how to get a prescription.
Liv’s Story: My Path from Adrenal Crisis to Yoga Practice

Meet Liv, a yoga teacher living with Addison's disease, who shares her journey from a life-threatening adrenal crisis at 17 to discovering a passion and career in yoga.
Newcastle Injection Training, March 2026

Thank you to Northumbria Healthcare NHS Trust endocrine nurses Jane Craig and Joanne Wardle for working with the ADSHG to provide an excellent Injection Training event just outside Newcastle on 28 Mar 2026. Nearly 50 attendees joined us for a Sick Day Rules Refresher and hands on injection training, and left feeling more informed, confident and less alone.
The Future of Emergency Hydrocortisone Injections for Adrenal Crisis

A summary of progress towards an improved delivery technique for an emergency hydrocortisone injection to prevent or treat adrenal crisis.
Liquid Hydrocortisone Discontinued

We share the news from Advanz Pharma, that they have permanently discontinued the manufacture of hydrocortisone sodium phosphate in the UK.
British Endocrine Society (BES) Conference 2026

Hear how ADSHG made an impact at the Society for Endocrinology BES Conference 2026! We highlighted the challenges faced by people living with adrenal insufficiency and collaborated with healthcare professionals to drive improvements in patient safety and quality of life.
Hydrocortisone Tablet Prices, Lower Doses & Issues when Splitting

Hydrocortisone tablet prices vary and some strengths cost much more than others. We explain why the cost of lower-dose tablets matters for the NHS, how to talk to your GP if splitting tablets is difficult, and what to do if your hydrocortisone tablets are crumbling.

Sick Day Rules

Minor ailments can affect anyone with a steroid-dependent adrenal condition very differently. Things like vomiting, diarrhoea, colds and flu could cause an adrenal crisis. It’s important that you spot the early symptoms of a bug or cold and adjust your steroid replacement medication.
Adrenal Crisis - Emergency Help

Adrenal crisis is a time-critical, life-threatening emergency and must be treated immediately. Read the guidance on treating a steroid-dependent patient in adrenal crisis.
The Emergency Injection for the treatment of Adrenal Crisis

Understanding what an Emergency Injection kit is, how to inject and how important it is to use the injection during an Adrenal Crisis.
What are Addison's disease and adrenal insufficiency?

Find out more about Addison's disease and adrenal insufficiency and and how they are treated.
Why Salt?

Why do people with Addison’s and adrenal insufficiency crave salty, acidic and sour foods at diagnosis, and then salt remains our “pick me up” when diagnosed? Professor Simon Pearce explains the connection between aldosterone, fludrocortisone and why you should always listen to your salt cravings.
Addison's & Adrenal Insufficiency: Advice for Dentists

Read our guidance for major and minor dental procedures. It is important to recognise the physical stress of any invasive dental procedure and to ensure that adequate glucocorticoid cover is provided for steroid-dependent patients.
Surgical Guidelines

The ADSHG surgical guidelines are intended for the information of your medical team or your dentist and have been developed by our Clinical Advisory Panel.
Updated NHS Steroid Card Released

Following the early release of the new NHS Steroid Emergency Card back in March to keep patients with Addison's or adrenal insufficiency safe during the COVID-19 crisis, the NHS steroid card has been updated and physical copies will be available to order from Tuesday 18th August 2020 for hospital teams!
Coping with psychological stress

We explain why more hydrocortisone may be required to cope with emotional stress and outline some techniques to reduce stress and improve wellbeing.
Coronavirus Vaccines and Adrenal Insufficiency

Everyone with a steroid-dependent adrenal condition should get the coronavirus vaccine and boosters to reduce their risk of getting coronavirus. This is because people who are steroid-dependent are at increased risk of needing hospital care if they get coronavirus, due to the risk of adrenal crisis.

Research Grants

One important strand of our work as a charity is our 'Advance' strand: funding, promoting and contributing to the development of new innovations and research to improve treatments and quality of life for members of the adrenal insufficiency community. Here we share the projects we are currently supporting thanks to the generosity of our donors, members and fundraisers. Read more