This disorder may be inherited as a primary disorder or may be one symptom of a disease that affects many parts of the body. Researchers have now discovered the abnormal gene responsible for the inherited form. More often, however, classic distal RTA is a complication of diseases that affect many organ systems (systemic diseases), like the autoimmune disorders Sjögren's syndrome and lupus.
Other diseases and conditions associated with distal RTA include hyperparathyroidism, a hereditary form of deafness, analgesic nephropathy, rejection of a transplanted kidney, renal medullary cystic disease, obstructive uropathy, and chronic urinary tract infections.
A major consequence of classic distal RTA is low blood-potassium. The level drops if the kidneys excrete potassium into urine instead of returning it to the blood supply. Since potassium helps regulate nerve and muscle health and heart rate, low levels can cause extreme weakness, cardiac arrhythmias, paralysis, and even death.
Untreated distal RTA causes growth retardation in children and progressive renal and bone disease in adults.
Read the last sentence which is in your post. Terri did not have renal tubular acidosis