Addison's disease is characterized by reduced activity of which glands, typically treated with steroids?

• A. Overactivity of the adrenal glands
• B. Insufficient insulin production
• C. Reduced activity of the adrenal glands, treated with steroids
• D. Excess glucocorticoid production

Answer: (C)

Addison's disease is a disorder of the adrenal cortex that results in reduced production of cortisol and aldosterone, so patients require lifelong steroid replacement therapy. The option that best fits describes this as reduced activity of the adrenal glands, treated with steroids. Steroid replacement addresses the deficient adrenal hormones, often using hydrocortisone (which provides both glucocorticoid and some mineralocorticoid effects) and sometimes adding a mineralocorticoid like fludrocortisone as needed. The other scenarios point to different conditions: overactivity of the adrenal glands would cause excess hormones rather than deficiency; insufficient insulin production relates to the pancreas; excess glucocorticoid production leads to Cushing's syndrome, not Addison's.