Primary aldosteronism

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Causes

By Mayo Clinic staff

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Illustration showing adrenal glands Adrenal glands

Common conditions causing the overproduction of aldosterone include:

  • A benign growth (aldosteronoma or adrenal adenoma) in an adrenal gland — a condition also known as Conn's syndrome
  • Overactivity of both adrenal glands (bilateral adrenal hyperplasia)

In rare cases, primary aldosteronism may be caused by:

  • Cancerous (malignant) growths in the outer layer (cortex) of the adrenal gland
  • A rare type of primary aldosteronism called glucocorticoid-remediable aldosteronism (GRA) that runs in families and causes high blood pressure in children and young adults
Complications Symptoms
References
  1. Funder JW, et al. Case detection, diagnosis and treatment of patients with primary aldosteronism: An Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 2008;93:3266.
  2. Young WF, et al. Clinical features of primary aldosteronism. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 25, 2010.
  3. Primary aldosteronism. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec12/ch153/ch153f.html. Accessed Oct. 25, 2010.
  4. Sechi LA, et al. Cardiovascular and renal damage in primary aldosteronism: Outcomes after treatment. American Journal of Hypertension. In press. Acessed Oct. 25, 2010.
  5. Giacchetti G, et al. Management of primary aldosteronism: Its complications and outcomes after treatment. Current Vascular Pharmacology. 2009;7:244.
  6. Young WF, et al. Treatment of primary aldosteronism. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 25, 2010.
  7. Aldosterone and renin. Lab Tests Online. http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/aldosterone/test.html. Accessed Oct. 25, 2010.
  8. High blood pressure. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Hbp/HBP_All.html. Accessed Oct. 25, 2010.
  9. High blood pressure, factors that contribute to. American Heart Association. http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4650. Accessed Oct. 25, 2010.
  10. Young WF, et al. Approach to the patient with hypertension and hypokalemia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 25, 2010.
  11. Rose BD. Clinical manifestations and treatment of hypokalemia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 25, 2010.
  12. The seventh report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Pressure. Bethesda, Md.: National Heart, Lung, Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/hypertension/jnc7full.htm. Accessed Oct. 25, 2010.
  13. Nippoldt TB (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Oct. 27, 2010.
DS00563 Jan. 6, 2011

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