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 pati...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Clinical medicine (London, England) England), 2017-02, Vol.17 (1), p.43-45
Main Authors: Gallacher, Stuart Declan, Tsokolas, Georgios, Dimitropoulos, Ioannis
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase
Acute Medical Care
apparent mineralocorticoid excess
complementary and alternative medicine
glycyrrhizic acid
liquorice
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Summary: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.
ISSN:1470-2118
1473-4893
DOI:10.7861/clinmedicine.17-1-43