Hyperaldosteronism Signs and Symptoms
Definition
- Hyperaldosteronism is a group of disorders in which aldosterone production is inappropriately high, relatively autonomous and non-suppressible by sodium loading
Etiology
- Hyperplasia eg idiopathic (bilateral) hyperplasia, primary (unilateral) adrenal hyperplasia
- Familial Hyperaldosteronism II
- Non-glucocorticoid remediable; maybe associated with familial occurrence of aldosterone-producing adenoma, idiopathic hyperaldosteronism, or both
- Monogenetic disorder related to hypertension
- Adrenocortical hyperplasia is present which may be nodular
- Histological features suggest over activity of the zona fasciculata
- Progression to tumor has not been reported
- Patients are usually asymptomatic young hypertensives
- Diagnosis may be made with suppression of plasma aldosterone with Dexamethasone or southern blotting of genetic defect
- Treat with low-dose Dexamethasone
- Rare congenital condition
- Spironolactone may be used to control electrolyte imbalance
- Blood pressure (BP) control usually needs other antihypertensive agents
- Eg Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, thiazide diuretics
- Low-dose Dexamethasone may be useful
Liddle’s Syndrome
- Rare congenital condition
- Treat with Spironolactone but may also require Amiloride or Triamterene
Signs and Symptoms
- Signs and symptoms are nonspecific
- Symptoms caused by hypertension (eg headache), hypokalemia (eg polyuria, nocturia, muscle cramps and weakness, tetany, paralysis, etc), and metabolic alkalosis