What is Addison’s Disease? A number of people have asked this on Google after Jay Spearing was diagnosed while coaching for Liverpool.
The 34-year-old made 55 appearances for Liverpool during his playing career, and returned to Anfield back in June as a coach for the Under-18 side.
Spearing was also registered as an over-age player by the Reds in order for him to take part in Under-21 matches, to further aid the development of Liverpool’s best youngsters.
So, what is Addison’s Disease? Let’s take a look…
What is Addison’s Disease?
Well, Addison’s Disease is a rare disorder of the adrenal glands.
The adrenal glands sit on top of the kidneys, and produce two essential hormones – cortisol and aldosterone, according to the National Health Service (NHS).
In Spearing’s case – which affects one in 300 every year – blood tests carried out by Liverpool’s medical department showed he was close to falling into adrenal crisis, a potentially fatal condition caused by a drop in the cortisol hormone.
Writing on Instagram, the Englishman wrote: “Don’t ignore changes in your body, no matter how small, get them checked out! It’s took me a minute to get my head around it, but I am thankful that now it’s been diagnosed it can be controlled and managed through hormone replacement treatment.
“It’s not something that I will allow to affect or dictate my life. Thinking back, I have been ignoring symptoms and changes in my body (a cracking tan for a start) for over a year.”
Spearing’s skin noticeably became darker throughout 2022, as a result of his hormone disorder.
The NHS add that 9,000 people in the United Kingdom suffer from Addison’s disease, and it is most common for those between the ages of 30 and 50, especially for women.
Thankfully, Spearing’s disorder can be treated through the use of medicine to replace the missing hormones.
Everyone at HITC wishes the Liverpool Under-18 coach and his family well
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