Liquorice-induced apparent mineralocorticoid excess presenting in the emergency department.
A 65-year-old woman with a background of myalgic encephalitis, who was taking alternative medicines and dietary supplements, presented with hypokalaemia and hypertension. After a thorough history it became apparent that this was most likely secondary to regular consumption of liquorice tea. The patient was advised to discontinue drinking this tea and was discharged. Follow-up showed normalising blood pressure and hypokalaemia, with a normal aldosterone:renin ratio.
Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust, Plymouth, UK.
Stuart Declan
SD
Gallacher
Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Crewe, UK.
Georgios
G
Tsokolas
Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust, Plymouth, UK.
Ioannis
I
Dimitropoulos
D000368:Aged; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006035:Glycyrrhiza; D019695:Glycyrrhizic Acid; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000209:etiology; D007008:Hypokalemia / Q000209:etiology; D043204:Mineralocorticoid Excess Syndrome, Apparent / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood
D019695:Glycyrrhizic Acid; D011188:Potassium
11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase; apparent mineralocorticoid excess; complementary and alternative medicine; glycyrrhizic acid; liquorice