Restless Legs Syndrome and Related Disorders - Causes

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Highlights	Complications	Resources
Introduction	Diagnosis	References
Causes	Treatment
Risk Factors	Medications

Abnormalities of Iron Metabolism

Iron deficiency, even at a level too mild to cause anemia, has been linked to RLS in some people. Studies suggest, in fact, that RLS in some people may be due to a problem with getting iron into cells that regulate dopamine in the brain. Some studies have reported RLS in 25 - 30% of people with low iron levels.

Deficiencies in Cortisol

Some research suggests that low cortisol levels in the evening and early night hours may be related to restless leg symptoms. Some patients experienced improvement in symptoms with low-dose hydrocortisone injections.

Causes of Periodic Limb Movement Disorder

The cause or causes of PLMD are not clear. Some research suggests that it may be due to abnormalities in the autonomic nervous system, which regulates the involuntary actions of the smooth muscles, heart, and glands.

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Review Date: 10/15/2010
Reviewed By: Reviewed by: Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).