GERHARD BAUMANN, M.D.
To the editor: In the May 1979 issue Drs. Sheeler and Schumacher (1) report the cases of three patients who developed severe and symptomatic hyponatremia during prolonged (48-h) adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) tests. As pointed out by the authors, this problem was already recognized in the original report that introduced the 48-h ACTH test (2). Potential explanations for this complication offered by Sheeler and Schumacher are the known inability to excrete a water load in the patient with Addison's disease; and contamination of ACTH preparations with antidiuretic hormone (ADH). Water retention in hypoadrenal patients is due to glucocorticoid deficiency and can be
BAUMANN G. Hyponatremia During Adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) Infusions. Ann Intern Med. 1979;91:499. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-91-3-499_1
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Published: Ann Intern Med. 1979;91(3):499.
DOI: 10.7326/0003-4819-91-3-499_1
Endocrine and Metabolism, Fluid and Electrolyte Disorders, Nephrology.
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