Patients are usually oligo- or asymptomatic. Therefore, the diagnosis of Conn syndrome is an incidental finding. The following symptoms and complaints may indicate Conn syndrome:
Leading symptoms
- Arterial hypertension ((often presenting as difficult-to-control hypokalemic hypertension) /hypertension) – most commonly manifested by headache.
- Hypokalemia (potassium deficiency) – usually results in the following symptoms:
- Muscle weakness, rapid fatigue
- Muscle cramps and paresthesias (tingling, “formication,” furriness, tingling, itching)
- Constipation (constipation)
- ECG changes (ST depression, T-flattening).
- Cardiac arrhythmias, unspecified
- Polyuria – excessive urination; often accompanied by polydipsia (increased thirst) (→ hyperhydration/hyperhydration without edema/water retention); nocturia (nocturnal urination).
- Metabolic alkalosis – metabolic disorder with blood too alkaline; in contrast to acidosis (hyperacidity).
Caution. In the majority of cases, hypokalemia (potassium deficiency) is not present (normokalemic hyperaldosteronism).
