losartan-potassium and Adrenal-Insufficiency

Juvenile hemochromatosis is a rare genetic disorder that causes iron overload. Clinical complications, which include liver cirrhosis, heart failure, hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and diabetes, appear earlier and are more severe than in HFE-related hemochromatosis. This disorder, therefore, requires an aggressive therapeutic approach to achieve iron depletion. We report here the case of a young Italian female with juvenile hemochromatosis who was unable to tolerate frequent phlebotomy because of coexistent ss-thalassemia trait. The patient was successfully iron-depleted by combining phlebotomy with recombinant human erythropoietin.

Topics: Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Adrenal Insufficiency; Adult; Arrhythmias, Cardiac; beta-Thalassemia; Chelation Therapy; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 1; Deferoxamine; Erythropoietin; Estrogen Replacement Therapy; Female; Hemochromatosis; Hemosiderosis; Hormone Replacement Therapy; Humans; Hypogonadism; Liver Cirrhosis; Phlebotomy; Progesterone; Recombinant Proteins

Lisa Capaldini, a physician who treats patients with HIV-related fatigue, discusses symptoms, diagnosis techniques, and treatments of depression, anemia, and various other roots of fatigue in HIV-positive patients. Biochemical depression, caused by abnormal levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain, is easily misdiagnosed or overlooked. Physical and emotional symptoms of depression mirror common effects of HIV such as exhaustion, anger, and irritability. Knowing the history of depression prior to HIV infection, including previous drug abuse and family history of depression, will help to diagnose fatigue. Dr. Capaldini recommends antidepressants provided the condition is properly diagnosed and the side effects are not harmful to the patient. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), the most frequently prescribed antidepressants, can cause short term sexual dysfunction. Bupropion and Wellbutrin can be prescribed to avoid this side effect. Psychotherapy can be effective if therapists are familiar with HIV disease and can distinguish between symptoms brought on by behavior, addictive habits, or pre-existing depression. Consideration also must be given to drug interactions, particularly with the antiretrovirals ritonavir and delavirdine, which can cause seizures or disturb cardiac rhythm. Anemia is most noticeable after physical exertion, and symptoms are more evident based on the increased rate that red blood cells move out of the normal range. To determine the course of treatment, physicians need to clarify the cause of anemia. Anemia can be caused by drugs, vitamin deficiencies, or other nutritional problems. Adrenal insufficiency, methemoglobinemia, and malnutrition are also causes of fatigue. Diagnosing fatigue due to hepatitis B or C, rather than HIV, can be achieved by measuring hepatitis levels and observing T cell counts and viral load. Dr. Capaldini suggests that proper diet and exercise prevent fatigue from getting worse.

Topics: Adrenal Insufficiency; Anemia; Anti-HIV Agents; Antidepressive Agents; Depression; Drug Interactions; Erythropoietin; Fatigue; Female; Hepatitis, Viral, Human; HIV Infections; Humans; Male; Methemoglobinemia; Nutrition Disorders