Hypokalemia due to a liquorice-containing thirst-quencher].

T M J van Bakel, J M van der Klooster, F Borst, L C Urlings-Strop

Nederlands tijdschrift voor geneeskunde 2020 Nov 12

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Liquorice consumption can cause pseudohyperaldosteronism and potentially lead to life-threatening complications. Besides correcting hypokalemia and hypertension, finding the triggering factor for pseudohyperaldosteronism is essential to prevent recurrence. A 68-year-old Syrian man presented in the Emergency Department with complaints of fatigue, weakness and exercise-related shortness of breath. Blood tests revealed severe hypokalemia for which suppletion and cardiac rhythm surveillance was necessary. Talking to the patient's son, it occurred that our patient drank copious amounts of Erk Sous, a thirst-quenching drink made from liquorice. The diagnosis pseudohyperaldosteronismwas confirmed by a high level of glycyrrhetinic acid in the patient's urine. After correction of the hypokalemia, our patient recovered successfully. Erk Sous is a thirst-quenching drink that can cause pseudohyperaldosteronism. The drink is popular in the Middle East during summer and Ramadan. If a patient from the Middle East presents with hypokalemia and/or hypertension, ask for consumption of Erk Sous.

Citation

T M J van Bakel, J M van der Klooster, F Borst, L C Urlings-Strop. Hypokalemia due to a liquorice-containing thirst-quencher]. Nederlands tijdschrift voor geneeskunde. 2020 Nov 12;164