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Seeking Guidance on Secondary Hypertension from Unknown Causes

Hello everyone! I want to start by saying that I’m not very familiar with how to post on Reddit, so I hope I’m doing this correctly. As noted in the title, I’m a 21-year-old woman attending college, and I’ve been diagnosed with secondary hypertension linked to unexplained hyperaldosteronism. The troubling part is that the origin of my hyperaldosteronism remains a mystery to my healthcare providers. To give some background, my health concerns began about two years ago during a routine dental cleaning when my hygienist measured my blood pressure and noted that my diastolic reading was in the 100s. I didn’t get the exact figures at that moment, but I found out later that my pressure was consistently elevated. What initially seemed like typical white coat syndrome turned out to be more serious, as my blood pressure readings were often at 150s/100s with a heart rate of around 130 bpm. Following numerous doctor visits, tests, and various medications, the results revealed that while my aldosterone levels were elevated, my renin levels fell within the normal range, and other laboratory tests showed normal findings. CT scans showed no abnormalities in the adrenal glands, and ultrasonography indicated no renal artery stenosis. Ultimately, I was diagnosed with idiopathic secondary hyperaldosteronism, and unfortunately, no further clarity has emerged since my diagnosis. Currently, I’m taking 25 mg of Spironolactone, 25 mg of Metoprolol, and using an oral contraceptive, which is not thought to influence my blood pressure. Although my blood pressure readings have improved slightly, a recent check showed 140/94 while at rest. The biggest issue I’m facing is that the lack of actionable options from doctors is leaving me frustrated—endocrinologists won’t intervene due to it being a secondary issue connected to my normal renin levels, while cardiologists are hesitant because my hypertension is driven by endocrine factors, and there are no other logical tests to perform. I am in dire need of solutions. My OB-GYN has expressed concern over my elevated blood pressure potentially increasing the risk of clotting from my birth control, and discontinuing it is not feasible for me at this time. It's crucial that I get a grasp on this situation before experiencing any severe health event. Additionally, I’ve learned that my aldosterone levels can’t be reassessed until I stop taking Spironolactone for six weeks, which is daunting since I often feel unwell even if I miss a single dose. I would greatly appreciate any suggestions on additional conditions I should explore for testing, steps to take during this medical journey, or any general advice you might have from a healthcare perspective. If you need more details about my medical background, please let me know—I am truly in search of answers (this has been quite challenging for me)! Thank you all for your help and support!

HypertensionCrohn's DiseaseEndocrinology
Male25-34
39 minutes ago

How Can I Ensure My Healthcare Provider Listens to My Concerns?

As a 17-year-old female, I am grappling with several vitamin deficiencies, notably in Iron, Vitamin D, and Magnesium, among others. My health challenges extend beyond these deficiencies to include pre-diabetes, insulin resistance, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), anemia, and significant struggles with severe depression and anxiety. The focus of this message is primarily on my Vitamin D deficiency, which is the most debilitating for me. A couple of months back, my doctor prescribed Drisdol to help elevate my vitamin levels. Based on my gynecologist’s recommendation, I opted for a six-week course instead of the twelve-week regimen. After completing the Drisdol treatment, I returned a few weeks later for blood tests, only to find out that my levels had risen by a mere six points. While an increase might appear substantial, my initial Vitamin D level was alarmingly low at 13 ng/ml, and it reached only 20 ng/ml post-treatment. The hospital’s standard range is 30-100 ng/ml, indicating I remain well below what is considered healthy. This testing took place in November, and I am uncertain if there have been any improvements since. I am curious about potential reasons for my low levels besides limited outdoor activity. My doctors seem inclined to prescribe medications or recommend solutions that have failed to yield results in the past, such as multivitamins. This situation is parallel with my iron levels; I've undergone multiple IV iron treatments just to bring those back to a barely acceptable range. I have another appointment with my primary care physician in two weeks, and my primary concern is how to communicate that I feel my concerns are not being taken seriously. My doctor has misdiagnosed me previously and has overlooked some of my symptoms. I genuinely want guidance on how to ensure that my struggles, which significantly disrupt my daily life and contribute to my mental health deterioration, are acknowledged and addressed.

PsychiatryAnxietyDepression
Male25-34
40 minutes ago