[Hyperaldosteronism in thyrotoxicosis]

In 30 patients with a moderately severe and severe form of thyrotoxicosis a study was made of urinary aldosterone excretion following acid hydrolysis, by thin-layer chromatography. During decompensation the majority of the patients displayed an increased aldosterone excretion. Medicinal compesation of the disease did no lead to normalization of the mineralocorticoid function of the adrenal glands, whereas aldosterone excretion remained high in many of the patients. To ascertain the mechanisms of increase of aldosterone excretion in thyrotoxicosis a correlative analysis was carried out of associations between the aldosterone excretion and the circulating blood and plasma volume, potassium blood plasma content, catecholamine and 17-oxycorticoid excretion. On the basis of the results obtained and literature data it was supposed that intensified beta-adrenergic activity of the nervous system and increased catecholamine production participated in increase in the mineralocorticoid function of the adrenal glands during thyrotoxicosis.