Adrenal insufficiency bracelet

adrenal insufficiency bracelet can help share that you are steroid-dependent and may be at risk of adrenal crisis, especially if you cannot explain this clearly during an emergency.
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It gives clinicians and helpers a fast route to the essentials you want available, such as your diagnosis, usual steroid medicines, emergency contacts, and where your Steroid Emergency Card details can be found.
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• Flags adrenal insufficiency and steroid dependence quickly
• Useful alongside the NHS Steroid Emergency Card for emergency context
• Helps reduce delays where injectable hydrocortisone may be relevant in adrenal crisis
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An adrenal insufficiency bracelet is a wearable prompt that links to an emergency profile containing the key details you choose to share. Adrenal insufficiency (including primary adrenal insufficiency such as Addison’s disease) means the body cannot make enough steroid hormones, and some people are at risk of adrenal crisis. In the UK, national safety guidance introduced a patient-held Steroid Emergency Card to support early recognition and treatment in emergencies.
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Who it’s for

• People with diagnosed adrenal insufficiency (primary, secondary, or tertiary)
• People with Addison’s disease (primary adrenal insufficiency)
• People considered steroid-dependent and issued an NHS Steroid Emergency Card
• Anyone prescribed an adrenal crisis emergency management kit (where applicable locally)
• People with a documented adrenal crisis risk who want clear emergency messaging
• People who travel or spend time alone and want key details accessible
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When it’s most useful

• During ambulance callouts, A&E visits, or unplanned hospital admissions
• If you are very unwell and communication is difficult
• If surgery, trauma, or another major stressor is involved and staff need fast context
• When new clinicians need confirmation of steroid dependence and emergency information location
• If an adrenal crisis is suspected and time-critical treatment pathways apply
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What to put on it

• Adrenal insufficiency (diagnosis)
• Addison’s disease (if that’s your diagnosis)
• “Steroid-dependent” (common medical ID wording used by patient organisations)
• “At risk of adrenal crisis” (optional wording some people include)
• Usual steroid medicine names (for example hydrocortisone, prednisolone)
• Any additional steroid replacement (for example fludrocortisone, if prescribed)
• Location of your Steroid Emergency Card (for example “Steroid Emergency Card carried”)
• Emergency injection kit note (only if you have one, and where it is kept)
• Medication allergies / serious reactions
• Key comorbidities that change emergency care (short list)
• Emergency contact 1 (name + number)
• Emergency contact 2 (name + number)

Keep it short and readable.
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Key benefits

• Faster recognition of adrenal insufficiency in emergencies
• Clearer handover of steroid dependence and crisis risk
• Reduces delay in locating emergency steroid information
• Supports safer decisions where injectable hydrocortisone pathways may be relevant
• Makes medication and allergy details easier to confirm under pressure
• Reassurance for family/carers that key details are easy to find
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FAQs

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What should an adrenal insufficiency bracelet say?

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Many people keep it very short: diagnosis + “steroid-dependent”, with an optional “at risk of adrenal crisis”. Patient organisations also publish suggested wording that fits typical engraving limits.

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What is the NHS Steroid Emergency Card and how does it relate to adrenal insufficiency?

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It’s a patient-held card introduced to help healthcare staff identify adrenal insufficiency and see emergency management information during acute illness, trauma, surgery, or other major stressors.

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Can adrenal insufficiency be related to steroid use, and does that change what you record?

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Yes. UK guidance covers adrenal insufficiency and steroid dependence, and the Steroid Emergency Card is intended for people with adrenal insufficiency or steroid dependence who may be at risk of adrenal crisis. People often record the wording that matches their diagnosis and the emergency information they’ve been issued.

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