Hyperaldosteronism

Hyperaldosteronism, also aldosteronism, is a medical condition where too much aldosterone is produced by the adrenal glands, which can lead to lowered levels of potassium in the blood.

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Types

• E26.0: Primary hyperaldosteronism, often caused by an adrenal cortical adenoma (a tumor), is also known as Conn's syndrome.

• E26.1: Secondary hyperaldosteronism is due to overactivity of the renin-angiotensin system.

In endocrinology, the terms primary and secondary are used to describe the abnormality (e.g. elevated aldosterone) in relation to the defect, i.e. the tumor's location. The adjective primary refers to an abnormality that directly leads to pathology, i.e. aldosteronism is caused by the apparatus that generates aldosterone. Secondary refers to an abnormality that indirectly results in pathology through a predictable physiologic pathway, i.e. a renin producing tumour leads to increased aldosterone, as the body's aldosterone production is normally regulated by renin levels.

Symptoms

It can be asymptomatic, but the following symptoms can be present

• Fatigue
• Headache
• High blood pressure
• Hypokalemia
• Intermittent or temporary paralysis
• Muscle spasms
• Muscle weakness
• Numbness
• Polyuria
• Polydipsia
• Tingling

See also

• Hypoaldosteronism