Question: What is the so-called “Pseudo-Bartter Syndrome”?
Answer: The so-called “Pseudo-Bartter Syndrome” is furosemide-induced hypokalemia. The cited reference points out that “Pseudo- Bartter-Syndrome”, is found mainly in young females who work in health-care institutions……..who may have an easy opportunity to watch the impressive effect of diuretics and have an easier access to the drugs than people who work outside health-care institutions. Motivation for surreptitious furosemide intake is the intention to slim, to avoid edema or……..to change the shape of the body. Furosemide may be taken also unknowingly as an undeclared component of “health teas” and lead to hypokalemia.” (Ruisz W et al. Furosemide induced severe hypokalemia with rhabdomyolysis without cardiac arrest. 2013 BMC Woman’s Health 13:30-34)