Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsFunction and Adrenal RolesSymptomsTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Function and Adrenal Roles
Symptoms
Treatment
If your body produces too much or too little aldosterone, you may experience high or low blood pressure, fluid retention, or symptoms related to an electrolyte imbalance.
Aldosterone Function and Adrenal Roles in Body
Hormones like aldosterone act as messengers that tell your body how and when to perform key functions. These functions include:
Production of Aldosterone
Overproduction or underproduction of aldosterone may have many different causes. Some of the possible reasons for excessive aldosterone production include:
If youradrenal glandsdon’t produce enough aldosterone, potential causes include:
Symptoms of Aldosterone Imbalance
Aldosterone imbalances include hyperaldosteronism and hypoaldosteronism (not enough aldosterone).
Symptoms of hypoaldosteronism include:
Meanwhile, symptoms of hyperaldosteronism may include:
Treatment Options for Aldosterone Disorders
Treatment for hypoaldosteronism often starts with salt and fluid therapy. To treat your symptoms, your healthcare provider may prescribe mineralocorticoids. The first-line treatment is Florinef (fludrocortisone).
Hyperaldosteronism is sometimes treated with a type ofdiureticknown as mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs), such as Aldactone (spironolactone). Limiting salt intake can also help. If other ways of lowering aldosterone levels fail, your healthcare provider may recommend that you undergo an adrenalectomy, a type of surgery to remove one or both of the adrenal glands.
If your symptoms are related to an underlying condition, such as diabetes, taking steps to treat that condition could help to relieve your aldosterone imbalance. You may also need to take medication to control your blood pressure.
Managing Your Blood PressureIf you have an aldosterone disorder, it’s especially important to take steps to manage your blood pressure. Examples include:Quitting smokingLimiting your intake of alcohol, salt, and caffeineExercising regularlyPrioritizing sleepManaging your stressEating a heart-healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, protein, and whole grainsAvoiding processed foods and sugary beverages
Managing Your Blood Pressure
If you have an aldosterone disorder, it’s especially important to take steps to manage your blood pressure. Examples include:Quitting smokingLimiting your intake of alcohol, salt, and caffeineExercising regularlyPrioritizing sleepManaging your stressEating a heart-healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, protein, and whole grainsAvoiding processed foods and sugary beverages
If you have an aldosterone disorder, it’s especially important to take steps to manage your blood pressure. Examples include:
Summary
Symptoms of hypoaldosteronism, too little aldosterone, include low blood pressure, appetite loss, fatigue, and unexplained weight loss. Meanwhile, hyperaldosteronism (excessive aldosterone) may cause symptoms like high blood pressure and excessive sodium levels, combined withlow potassium. Treatment may include lifestyle changes to manage blood pressure, as well as prescribed medications and surgery to remove the adrenal glands if needed.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Adrenal gland disorders.MedlinePlus.Aldosterone test.National Cancer Institute.Aldosterone.MedlinePlus.Aldosterone blood test.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Hypoaldosteronism.Ruiz-Sánchez JG, Calle-Pascual AL, Rubio-Herrera MÁ, et al.Clinical manifestations and associated factors in acquired hypoaldosteronism in endocrinological practice.Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2022;13:990148. doi:10.3389/fendo.2022.990148Mullen N, Curneen J, Donlon PT, et al.Treating primary aldosteronism-induced hypertension: Novel approaches and future outlooks.Endocr Rev. 2024;45(1):125-170. doi:10.1210/endrev/bnad026American Heart Association.How to manage high blood pressure.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Adrenal gland disorders.MedlinePlus.Aldosterone test.National Cancer Institute.Aldosterone.MedlinePlus.Aldosterone blood test.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Hypoaldosteronism.Ruiz-Sánchez JG, Calle-Pascual AL, Rubio-Herrera MÁ, et al.Clinical manifestations and associated factors in acquired hypoaldosteronism in endocrinological practice.Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2022;13:990148. doi:10.3389/fendo.2022.990148Mullen N, Curneen J, Donlon PT, et al.Treating primary aldosteronism-induced hypertension: Novel approaches and future outlooks.Endocr Rev. 2024;45(1):125-170. doi:10.1210/endrev/bnad026American Heart Association.How to manage high blood pressure.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Adrenal gland disorders.MedlinePlus.Aldosterone test.National Cancer Institute.Aldosterone.MedlinePlus.Aldosterone blood test.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Hypoaldosteronism.Ruiz-Sánchez JG, Calle-Pascual AL, Rubio-Herrera MÁ, et al.Clinical manifestations and associated factors in acquired hypoaldosteronism in endocrinological practice.Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2022;13:990148. doi:10.3389/fendo.2022.990148Mullen N, Curneen J, Donlon PT, et al.Treating primary aldosteronism-induced hypertension: Novel approaches and future outlooks.Endocr Rev. 2024;45(1):125-170. doi:10.1210/endrev/bnad026American Heart Association.How to manage high blood pressure.
MedlinePlus.Adrenal gland disorders.
MedlinePlus.Aldosterone test.
National Cancer Institute.Aldosterone.
MedlinePlus.Aldosterone blood test.
National Organization for Rare Disorders.Hypoaldosteronism.
Ruiz-Sánchez JG, Calle-Pascual AL, Rubio-Herrera MÁ, et al.Clinical manifestations and associated factors in acquired hypoaldosteronism in endocrinological practice.Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2022;13:990148. doi:10.3389/fendo.2022.990148
Mullen N, Curneen J, Donlon PT, et al.Treating primary aldosteronism-induced hypertension: Novel approaches and future outlooks.Endocr Rev. 2024;45(1):125-170. doi:10.1210/endrev/bnad026
American Heart Association.How to manage high blood pressure.
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