Hypoaldosteronism means low sodium and high potassium in the blood. This type of disturbance of the body's water and electrolyte balance is most often associated with adrenal insufficiency and may lead to circulatory failure, and then death. What are the causes and symptoms of hypoaldosteronism? What is the treatment?

Hypoaldosteronismis a disease syndrome characterized by low levels of aldosterone in the body. Aldosterone is a hormone that belongs to the mineralocorticosteroids, a group of hormones that are produced in the body by the glomerular layer of the adrenal cortex. Its main function is to regulate the body's water and electrolyte balance - it improves the absorption of sodium by the body (so that too much of it is not excreted with the urine) and is responsible for the increase in the excretion of potassium in the kidneys (which are the main target organ of this hormone). Aldosterone is released when the sodium level in the blood is lowered and / or the blood flow pressure in the kidneys is lowered. Then they release renin, which indirectly acts on the adrenal glands and leads to the release of aldosterone. When levels of this hormone fall, there is an increased loss of sodium in the urine, and the level of potassium in the blood increases.

Hypoaldosteronism - causes

Isolated hypoaldosteronism is caused by genetically determined defects in the synthesis of aldosterone, including 18-hydroxylase deficiency.

Primary hypoaldosteronismmay be the result of adrenal insufficiency (Addison's disease) and adrenal enzyme deficiency.

In turn,secondary hypoaldosteronismappears in the course of other diseases: diabetes (specifically diabetic nephropathy), kidney diseases, amyloidosis, hemochromatosis. It may also result from the use of certain medications (so-called drug nephropathy), e.g. diuretics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or heparin.

Hypoaldosteronism - symptoms

The main symptom ishypotensionwhich ishypotension . Then there is dizziness, spots in front of the eyes, heart rhythm disturbances, increased heart rate. In addition, the face turns pale and the hands and feet become cold. The patient also develops symptoms:

  • hyponatremia (low sodium in the blood) - weakness, dizzinessheadache, nausea;
  • hyperkalemia (excess potassium in the blood) - muscle weakness, muscle tremors, sensory disturbances;
  • metabolic acidosis-mainly deep breath;

Hypoaldosteronism - diagnosis

The basis of diagnostics are blood tests, the purpose of which is to determine the level of aldosterone, electrolyte levels, as well as to determine the acid-base balance of the body. Aldosterone levels can also be measured in a 24-hour urine collection.

Hypoaldosteronism - treatment

In most cases, there is no causal treatment, so the treatment consists of administering fludrocortisone to the patient to replenish the mineralocorticoid deficiency. In some cases, these deficiencies are supplemented by consuming more s alt.

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