- With Mayo Clinic endocrinologist
Todd B. Nippoldt, M.D.
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Todd B. Nippoldt, M.D.
Todd B. Nippoldt, M.D.
Dr. Todd Nippoldt is a board-certified specialist in internal medicine and endocrinology and metabolism. He has special expertise in the area of hormone disorders affecting the pituitary and adrenal glands as well as the testes and ovaries. He has been a member of the Mayo Clinic staff since 1988.
Dr. Nippoldt is a consultant in the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Nutrition and works with patients who have disorders of the hormone-producing glands. Common disorders include diabetes, thyroid problems, osteoporosis and elevated cholesterol levels.
He also is involved in andrology, the study of male hormonal disorders, male infertility and sexual dysfunction and is an assistant professor of medicine at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine.
Dr. Nippoldt, a St. Paul, Minn., native, has also contributed to "Mayo Clinic Health Letter," a Mayo Clinic CD-ROM and the "Mayo Clinic Family Health Book." He is a fellow in the American College of Physicians and a member of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, the American Society of Andrology, The Endocrine Society, The Pituitary Society and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists.
"I have found that those patients who have gone to the Internet and obtained accurate medical information come to their appointment with me very well informed, and the discussions regarding the evaluation and management of their condition are very productive and satisfying," he says.
"The key, however, is obtaining accurate medical information. As a medical editor for MayoClinic.com, I hope to be able to ensure that accurate, relevant and up-to-date information is available for patients and their families."
Definition (1)
- Adrenal fatigue: What causes it?
Symptoms (1)
- Salt craving: A symptom of Addison's disease?
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Question
Salt craving: A symptom of Addison's disease?
My husband constantly craves salt. What causes this?
Answer
from Todd B. Nippoldt, M.D.
Salt craving can sometimes be due to a serious underlying medical condition such as adrenal insufficiency (Addison's disease) — especially if the salt craving is new, persistent and excessive. Other signs and symptoms of Addison's disease include muscle weakness, fatigue, weight loss and low blood pressure. In some cases, salt craving is a symptom of a rare kidney disorder called Bartter syndrome.
Your husband's salt cravings should be evaluated by a doctor, especially if other symptoms are present. Regardless of the cause, eating too much salt isn't good for you because it can increase your risk of developing high blood pressure.
Next questionAdrenal fatigue: What causes it?
- Addison's disease. National Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Information Service. Accessed March 2, 2009.
- MacRae Dell K, et al. Bartter/Gitelman syndromes and other inherited tubular transport abnormalities. In: Kleigman RM, et al., eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics.18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. Accessed March 2, 2009.
- Nippoldt TB (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 3, 2009.
- Who is at risk for high blood pressure? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Accessed March 2, 2009.
