Mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid status in idiopathic haemochromatosis.
OBJECTIVE
A number of studies have suggested that both primary (Addison's disease) and secondary adrenal failure may be caused by idiopathic haemochromatosis. There is little information on mineralocorticoid secretion. We have assessed the mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid status of patients with idiopathic haemochromatosis.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Eighteen males and one female with confirmed idiopathic haemochromatosis were investigated. Seven of the subjects had hepatic cirrhosis and three had hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism.


METHODS
A short Synacthen (tetracosactrin) test was undertaken in addition to an overnight metyrapone test and an insulin stress test. In addition, plasma aldosterone (PA) and plasma renin activity (PRA) were measured in a group of patients in the basal state and again in the upright position.


RESULTS
The short Synacthen test, overnight metyrapone test and insulin stress test were normal in all subjects. The PA, PRA, and PA/PRA ratios in the upright position were not significantly different in the patients with idiopathic haemochromatosis compared to control subjects.


CONCLUSIONS
In this patient population, no abnormality of either the pituitary adrenal axis or mineralocorticoid status was detected. Adrenocortical dysfunction is likely to be exceptionally rare in idiopathic haemochromatosis.
South Infirmary, Victoria Hospital, Cork, Ireland.
C H
CH
Walsh
A L
AL
Murphy
S
S
Cunningham
T J
TJ
McKenna
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000450:Aldosterone / Q000097:blood*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D003350:Cortodoxone / Q000097:blood*; D003366:Cosyntropin; D005260:Female; D006432:Hemochromatosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D007328:Insulin; D008297:Male; D008797:Metyrapone; D008875:Middle Aged; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000503:physiopathology; D012083:Renin / Q000097:blood*
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D003366:Cosyntropin; D000450:Aldosterone; D012083:Renin; D003350:Cortodoxone; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D008797:Metyrapone