In Addison's disease, which electrolyte changes are expected?

In Addison's disease, which electrolyte changes are expected?

• A. Calcium and phosphorus abnormalities
• B. Chloride and magnesium abnormalities
• C. Sodium and chloride abnormalities
• D. Sodium and potassium abnormalities

Answer: (D)

In Addison's disease, the key issue is loss of aldosterone, the mineralocorticoid that acts on the kidneys to reabsorb sodium and excrete potassium. When aldosterone is deficient, the kidneys waste sodium (and water follows), leading to hyponatremia and volume depletion. At the same time, potassium is not adequately excreted, causing hyperkalemia. So the expected electrolyte pattern is low sodium and high potassium. Calcium, phosphorus, chloride, and magnesium changes are not the defining features here, whereas the sodium-potassium imbalance is the hallmark consequence of aldosterone deficiency.

In Addison's disease, the key issue is loss of aldosterone, the mineralocorticoid that acts on the kidneys to reabsorb sodium and excrete potassium. When aldosterone is deficient, the kidneys waste sodium (and water follows), leading to hyponatremia and volume depletion. At the same time, potassium is not adequately excreted, causing hyperkalemia. So the expected electrolyte pattern is low sodium and high potassium. Calcium, phosphorus, chloride, and magnesium changes are not the defining features here, whereas the sodium-potassium imbalance is the hallmark consequence of aldosterone deficiency.