Which statement correctly describes the electrolyte disturbances typical of Addison disease?

Which statement correctly describes the electrolyte disturbances typical of Addison disease?

• A. Hypernatremia, hypokalemia, metabolic alkalosis
• B. Hyponatremia, hypokalemia, metabolic acidosis
• C. Hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, metabolic acidosis, and fatigue
• D. Hyperglycemia and leukocytosis

Answer: (C)

In Addison disease, insufficient aldosterone and cortisol disrupt electrolyte and acid-base balance. Lack of aldosterone causes the kidneys to waste sodium, leading to hyponatremia and volume depletion, while also reducing potassium excretion, causing hyperkalemia. Cortisol deficiency contributes to fatigue and can worsen the acid-base picture by promoting metabolic acidosis rather than alkalosis. Putting this together, the electrolyte and acid-base pattern that fits Addison disease is hyponatremia with hyperkalemia, metabolic acidosis, and fatigue. The other patterns—hypernatremia with hypokalemia and metabolic alkalosis, or hyponatremia with hypokalemia and metabolic acidosis, or nonspecific findings like hyperglycemia—do not align with the typical hormonal defect and its renal effects in this condition.

In Addison disease, insufficient aldosterone and cortisol disrupt electrolyte and acid-base balance. Lack of aldosterone causes the kidneys to waste sodium, leading to hyponatremia and volume depletion, while also reducing potassium excretion, causing hyperkalemia. Cortisol deficiency contributes to fatigue and can worsen the acid-base picture by promoting metabolic acidosis rather than alkalosis. Putting this together, the electrolyte and acid-base pattern that fits Addison disease is hyponatremia with hyperkalemia, metabolic acidosis, and fatigue. The other patterns—hypernatremia with hypokalemia and metabolic alkalosis, or hyponatremia with hypokalemia and metabolic acidosis, or nonspecific findings like hyperglycemia—do not align with the typical hormonal defect and its renal effects in this condition.