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Secondary Aldosteronism

By

Ashley B. Grossman

, MD, University of Oxford; Fellow, Green-Templeton College

Reviewed/Revised Feb 2024
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Secondary aldosteronism is increased adrenal production of aldosterone in response to nonpituitary, extra-adrenal stimuli such as renal hypoperfusion. Symptoms are similar to those of primary aldosteronism. Diagnosis includes measurement of plasma aldosterone levels and plasma renin activity. Treatment involves correcting the cause.

Aldosterone is the most potent mineralocorticoid produced by the adrenal cortex. It causes sodium retention and potassium loss. In the kidneys, aldosterone causes transfer of sodium from the lumen of the distal tubule into the tubular cells in exchange for potassium and hydrogen. The same effect occurs in salivary glands, sweat glands, cells of the intestinal mucosa, and in exchanges between intracellular fluid (ICF) and extracellular fluid (ECF).

Aldosterone secretion is regulated by the renin-angiotensin system Primary Aldosteronism and, to a lesser extent, by adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). Renin, a proteolytic enzyme, is stored in the juxtaglomerular cells of the kidneys. Reduction in blood volume and flow in the afferent renal arterioles or hyponatremia Hyponatremia Hyponatremia is decrease in serum sodium concentration < 136 mEq/L (< 136 mmol/L) caused by an excess of water relative to solute. Common causes include diuretic use, diarrhea, heart failure... read more induces secretion of renin. Renin transforms angiotensinogen from the liver to angiotensin I, which is transformed by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) to angiotensin II, which in turn causes secretion of aldosterone; renin also has pressor activity. Sodium retention and water retention resulting from increased aldosterone secretion increase the blood volume and reduce renin secretion.

Secondary aldosteronism is caused by reduced renal blood flow, which stimulates the renin-angiotensin mechanism Primary Aldosteronism with resultant hypersecretion of aldosterone. Causes of reduced renal blood flow include

Secretion may be normal in heart failure, but hepatic blood flow and aldosterone metabolism are reduced, so circulating levels of the hormone are high.

Symptoms and Signs of Secondary Aldosteronism

Diagnosis of Secondary Aldosteronism

  • Serum electrolyte levels

  • Plasma aldosterone

  • Plasma renin activity (PRA)

Initial laboratory testing consists of plasma aldosterone levels and plasma renin activity (PRA). Ideally, the patient should not take any medications that affect the renin-angiotensin system (eg, thiazide diuretics, angiotensin-converting enzyme [ACE] inhibitors, angiotensin antagonists, beta-blockers) for 4 to 6 weeks before tests are done. Elevated aldosterone levels and plasma renin activity are indicative of secondary aldosteronism. The principal differences between primary and secondary aldosteronism are shown in the table .

Treatment of Secondary Aldosteronism

  • Treament of cause

  • Sometimes aldosterone antagonists

Treatment involves correcting the cause.

Hypertension can usually be controlled with a selective aldosterone blocker such as spironolactone, starting with 50 mg orally once a day and increasing over 1 to 3 months to a maintenance dose, usually around 100 mg once a day. Another potassium-sparing diuretic can be used instead of spironolactone. The more specific drug eplerenone 50 mg orally once a day to 200 mg orally twice a day may be used because, unlike spironolactone, it does not block the androgen receptor (which may result in gynecomastia Gynecomastia This photo shows enlarged breast tissue in a male patient. Gynecomastia is hypertrophy of breast glandular tissue in males. It must be differentiated from pseudogynecomastia, which is increased... read more Gynecomastia and sexual dysfunction); it is the drug of choice for long-term treatment in males if low-dose spironolactone is ineffective.

Key Points

  • Diagnosis is suspected in patients with hypertension and hypokalemia.

  • Initial testing includes measurement of plasma aldosterone and plasma renin activity.

  • Unlike in primary aldosteronism, plasma renin activity is elevated.

  • Treatment includes correcting the cause.

  • Hypertension may be controlled with aldosterone antagonists.

Drugs Mentioned In This Article

Drug Name Select Trade
Aldactone, CAROSPIR
Inspra
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NOTE: This is the Professional Version. CONSUMERS: View Consumer Version
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