Distal Renal Tubular Acidosis
Distal renal tubular acidosis (dRTA) is a disorder that occurs when there is an accumulation of acid in the blood. The kidney cannot properly excrete acid, which leads to a buildup of acid in the blood.
There are several different causes of dRTA, but the most common cause is a genetic mutation that affects the proteins responsible for transporting acids out of cells. This mutation prevents the proteins from working properly, which leads to an accumulation of acid in the cells. There are other causes of dRTA, such as certain medications, autoimmune diseases, and kidney diseases.
The symptoms of dRTA can vary depending on the severity of the condition. Some common symptoms include fatigue, confusion, arthritis-like pain, shortness of breath, and heartburn. Additionally, people with dRTA may also have low levels of potassium in their blood, high levels of calcium in their blood, or high levels of ammonia in their blood.
dRTA can be diagnosed through various tests, including urine, blood, kidney function, and CT scans. These tests can help doctors identify the presence of acid in the blood and determine how well the kidneys function.
