OBJECTIVES:

I. Determine the efficacy of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), an androgen replacement hormone, for patients with primary adrenal insufficiency (Addison's disease).

PROTOCOL OUTLINE: This is a randomized, double-blind study. Patients are stratified by age.

Patients are randomly assigned to androgen replacement therapy with daily dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) or placebo for 6 months. All patients may receive 6 additional months of DHEA following randomized therapy.

Women on hormonal replacement therapy may receive concurrent conjugated estrogens or oral medroxyprogesterone.

PROTOCOL ENTRY CRITERIA:

--Disease Characteristics-- Primary adrenal insufficiency (Addison's disease) Serum dehydroepiandrosterone less than 0.5 nmol/L --Prior/Concurrent Therapy-- No concurrent investigational drug Stable glucocorticoid/mineralocorticoid dose over past year required --Patient Characteristics-- Hepatic: No hepatic disease Cardiovascular: No vascular disease No thrombotic disorder No angina No elevated blood pressure on 2 readings taken 15 minutes apart in 1 visit, i.e.: Systolic greater than 165 mm Hg OR Diastolic greater than 95 mm Hg Other: No clinically significant medical abnormality No gallbladder disease No malignancy No estrogen- or androgen-dependent neoplasia Benign prostatic hyperplasia eligible No other endocrine disease Controlled thyroid disease with normal thyroid-stimulating hormone eligible Mammogram required within 1 year prior to entry for women aged 40 and over No clinically significant abnormality No undiagnosed vaginal or uterine bleeding within 6 months prior to entry Pap smear required within 1 year prior to entry No dysplasia (squamous intraepithelial lesion low-grade or higher)