Definition:
Gittings or Gitelman Syndrome is an inherited defect in the distal convoluted tubule of the kidneys.
Diagnosis:
Laboratory examination to determine potassium levels and aldosteron levels are used to confirm the absence or presence of the medical condition.
Treatment:
Treatment like administration of sodium and potassium supplements, calcium or magnesium supplements and Indomethacin are used to treat the condition.
Symptoms and Signs:
Symptoms include hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis, hypokalemia and hypocalciuria. Person suffering from this condition is said to have symptoms similar to those who are on thiazide diuretics (O'Shaughnessy KM, Karet FE (2004). "Salt handling and hypertension". J. Clin. Invest. 113 (8): 1075-81).
Causes:
It is linked to the mutations in the SLC12A3 gene resulting to the loss of function of thiazide sensitive sodium chloride co-transported or NCCT. It is also said to be an autosomal recessive disorder which is usually inherited.
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