What is Conn's syndrome?

Primary aldosteronism (also called Conn's syndrome) is a rare condition caused by overproduction of the hormone aldosterone that controls sodium and potassium in the blood. The condition is treated with medications and lifestyle changes to control blood pressure, and in some cases surgery.

What is the most common cause of Conn's syndrome?

Conn syndrome is most often caused by an adrenal tumor, such as aldosterone-producing adenomas. Commonly, these tumors are benign but in rare cases, they can be malignant.

What does Conn's syndrome cause you to have?

Conn's syndrome, also known as primary aldosteronism, is a condition that causes resistant high blood pressure. It is caused by excess production of a hormone called aldosterone. Aldosterone is secreted by the adrenal glands to stimulate excretion of potassium by the kidneys.

Is Conn's syndrome serious?

Conn's syndrome is a rare health problem that occurs when the adrenal glands make too much aldosterone. This problem is also known as primary hyperaldosteronism. Aldosterone is a hormone that controls salt and potassium levels in the blood. Too much leads to high blood pressure.

What does Conn's syndrome feel like?

The signs and symptoms associated with Conn's Syndrome (primary hyperaldosteronism) include low potassium in the blood (causing frequent urination), muscle cramps and heart palpitations (feeling your heart racing). These symptoms include fatigue, anxiety, depression, headache, and memory difficulties.

Hyperaldosteronism and Conn's Syndrome

How do you treat Conn's syndrome?

What is the prognosis (outlook) for people with primary aldosteronism (Conn's syndrome)? Patients with primary aldosteronism can be managed with medications. If the aldosterone is coming from a tumor in one gland they can potentially be cured by surgery to remove adrenal gland tumors.

Does hyperaldosteronism make you gain weight?

Recent studies indicate that hyperaldosteronism is a much more common cause of hypertension than had been thought historically. This observed increase in hyperaldosteronism has coincided with worldwide increases in obesity, suggesting that the 2 disease processes may be mechanistically related.

How do you test for Conn's syndrome?

Conn's Syndrome Diagnosis and Testing

This is done primarily with blood tests looking for excess aldosterone levels, high blood pressure (usually diastolic hypertension) and blood potassium levels (low to normal). Confirming the disease. These tests are repeated and a CT scan of the adrenal glands is performed.

Is Conn's disease hereditary?

A few people have one of a group of inherited genetic conditions known as familial hyperaldosteronism. Very occasionally, Conn's syndrome is caused by a cancerous tumour in the adrenal gland. Whatever the cause, the excess aldosterone encourages the kidneys to conserve salt and not excrete it in the urine.

What happens when you remove an adrenal gland?

If both adrenal glands are removed, you'll need to take hormone medications. If only one gland is removed, the remaining gland will take over.

What are the symptoms of too much aldosterone?

What are the signs and symptoms of hyperaldosteronism?

What does hyperaldosteronism feel like?

Primary and secondary hyperaldosteronism have common symptoms, including: High blood pressure. Low level of potassium in the blood. Feeling tired all the time.

How serious is hyperaldosteronism?

Without proper treatment, patients with hyperaldosteronism often suffer from poorly controlled high blood pressure and are at increased risk for heart attacks, heart failure, strokes, kidney failure, and early death. However, with appropriate treatment, this disease is treatable and has an excellent prognosis.

Does Conn's syndrome cause diabetes?

Conn originally reported an increased risk of diabetes in patients with hyperaldosteronism in the 1950's, although the mechanism remains unclear. Aldosterone-induced hypokalemia was initially described to impair glucose tolerance by impairing insulin secretion.

What type of doctor treats hyperaldosteronism?

Once screening indicates a possible diagnosis of hyperaldosteronism, referral to an endocrinologist is recommended for further assessment and management.

Can you live without your adrenal glands?

Humans cannot live without adrenal glands, so if both adrenal glands are removed (very rarely necessary), then the patient needs to take medications and supplements to provide the necessary hormones.

Does adrenal tumors cause weight gain?

Benign (non-cancerous) adrenal tumors can cause hormone over-production leading to weight gain.

How can I heal my adrenal glands naturally?

The suggested treatments for healthy adrenal function are a diet low in sugar, caffeine, and junk food, and “targeted nutritional supplementation” that includes vitamins and minerals: Vitamins B5, B6, and B12. Vitamin C. Magnesium.

What foods increase aldosterone?

Eat foods with a normal amount of sodium (2,300 mg per day) for at least 2 weeks before the test. Do not eat foods that are very salty, such as bacon, canned soups and vegetables, olives, bouillon, soy sauce, and salty snacks like potato chips or pretzels. A low-salt diet can also increase aldosterone levels.

Which hormone deficiency may lead to a life threatening condition?

Adrenal crisis is a serious condition that can cause death in people who lack the pituitary hormone ACTH. ACTH is responsible for regulating the adrenal gland.

What are the symptoms of a tumor on the adrenal gland?

Does high aldosterone cause anxiety?

Primary aldosteronism is a natural model for chronic aldosterone excess in humans and associated with symptoms of anxiety and depression. Cognitive deficits are inherent to the symptomatology of depression and anxiety disorders.

Does an adrenal tumor cause pain?

As an adrenal cancer grows, it presses on nearby organs and tissues. This may cause pain near the tumor, a feeling of fullness in the abdomen, or trouble eating because of a feeling of filling up easily.

How can I lower my aldosterone naturally?