SYNOPSIS Circadian plasma levels of aldosterone, renin activity, cortisol, sodium and potassium were studied during the migraine attack and headache‐free periods in ten women with menstrual migraine. Aldosterone dropped at the onset of an attack in all cases, producing an inverted profile when plotted at two‐hourly intervals over a 24‐hour period and compared with aldosterone levels during a headache‐free period. Renin activity and cortisol levels were normal during migraine and headache‐free periods and potassium and sodium were normal during the migraine attack. A possible explanation for the fall in aldosterone during the attack phase is increased conjugation in the liver due to increased hepatic blood flow.
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Nattero et al. (1977) studied this question.