A 40-year-old male presents with severe fatigue, weight loss, and low blood pressure. He also reports salt cravings and hyperpigmentation of his skin. What could be the cause, and what are the next steps?
This patient's symptoms suggest Addison's disease, a condition characterized by adrenal insufficiency and low production of cortisol and aldosterone. The next step would be to order a blood test to measure levels of cortisol, aldosterone, ACTH, and renin. An ACTH stimulation test may also be performed. If these tests confirm Addison's disease, the patient would be treated with hormone replacement therapy to replace cortisol and aldosterone.