One of the main functions of the kidney is to control the level of Magnesium, Sodium, Potassium and Chloride in your body. Gitelman’s Syndrome is a rare inherited disorder that causes the kidney to waste Magnesium, Sodium, Potassium and Chloride into your Urine, instead of reabsorbing it back into your blood stream. It is estimated that Gitelman’s Syndrome occurs 1 in 40,000 people and can affect both males and females of all ethnic backgrounds.

Gitelman’s Syndrome usually presents itself in adolescence or early adulthood. Diagnosis can be made through physical examination, and blood and urine tests.

Blood tests in Gitelman’s Syndrome will show low levels of potassium and magnesium. The urine tests will show low levels of calcium in the urine.

The symptoms associated with Gitelman’s Syndrome are usually caused by the levels of potassium and magnesium being too low. If you are regularly experiencing the following symptoms you should contact your health care professional to discuss your treatment:

• tiredness and fatigue
• muscle cramping
• heart palpitations
• joint pain
• tingling sensation, particularly in the face and hands
• muscle twitching

Information about the service

Patients with Gitelman’s Syndrome will be seen in the specialist renal metabolic clinic.  The renal metabolic clinic is one of few in the country with a long experience of managing metabolic conditions that affect the kidney. You will be seen in the clinic by a specialist kidney doctor or specialist kidney nurse.

How to contact the service

Emily Cooper – Renal Metabolic Clinical Nurse Specialist

Tel: 0121 371 8707
Email: Emily.Cooper@uhb.nhs.uk