(See also Introduction to Disorders of Kidney Tubules Introduction to Disorders of Kidney Tubules The kidneys filter and cleanse the blood. They also maintain the body’s balance of water, electrolytes (such as sodium, potassium, bicarbonate, and chloride), and nutrients in the blood. The... read more .)
The gene that causes Liddle syndrome is dominant, meaning that children of a person with the disorder have a 50% chance of inheriting the defective gene.
Liddle syndrome does not always cause symptoms. When it does, symptoms such as high blood pressure often begin during childhood or young adulthood. People also have low levels of potassium and high levels of bicarbonate in the blood.
Diagnosis of Liddle Syndrome
Blood pressure measurement
Urine and blood tests
In addition to finding high blood pressure in a young person, doctors also find a low amount of sodium in the urine and low blood levels of hormones that help regulate sodium levels in the blood and, thus, blood pressure (renin and aldosterone).
Genetic testing may also be done.
Treatment of Liddle Syndrome
Drugs to increase sodium excretion
The condition is effectively treated by drugs that increase sodium excretion and lessen potassium excretion, such as triamterene or amiloride. These drugs effectively lower the blood pressure. The prognosis is very good.
More Information
The following is an English-language resource that may be useful. Please note that THE MANUAL is not responsible for the content of this resource.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK): The health information presented on this site is informed by NIDDK research and includes insight into ongoing research and current funding opportunities, consumer health information in English and Spanish, a blog, and community health and outreach programs.
