Cool, a thread on aldosterone...My favourite subject...

Here's an interesting excerpt...

Hyperreninemic hypoaldosteronism may also occur in the presence of adequate cortisol secretion. Hyperreninemic hypoaldosteronism has also been seen in patients with severe illness in the intensive care unit. The dissociation of renin and aldosterone during serious illnesses is poorly understood. These patients usually do not have hyperkalemia, presumably owing to the mineralocorticoid effects of the hypercortisolism that accompanies serious illness. Chronic ACTH secretion, as seen in seriously ill patients, has also been shown to decrease aldosterone secretion from the zona glomerulosa. Many patients with AIDS also have impaired aldosterone secretion despite either normal or elevated PRA levels. Patients with critical illness and AIDS have also been reported to have low levels of DHEA with subnormal responsiveness to ACTH administration.

* These findings suggest that there is an adrenocortical adaptation to serious illness with a relative shift in the metabolism of adrenal pregnenolone away from mineralocorticoids and adrenal androgens and toward glucocorticoids. *

I was talking to gavster about "pregnenolone steal", which could be a cause of low aldosterone production in the context of normal cortisol production (hence the highlighted statement above).

Low aldosterone is frankly destroying my life/health/livelihood and I'm getting a little desperate to get to the bottom of this thing now...

Interesting nonetheless!

Thanks for bringing this to the table, which is most appreciated. Comments anyone?

Sayonara!

Scotty

This is precicely the next blood test that i've already requested. It's been on my mind often. Renin, Iron, Aldosterone, Ferrin are all my next focus and balancing those out. I believe i have low aldosterone. Upon standing my blood systolic blood pressure increases only about 5 point from say 108 to 113. But the main thing i see occuring is having a pulse of up to 105 or 90. Sitting down my pulse is on avg 70. After standing in place for about 2 minutes i get mad lightheadedness and difficulty breathing. I believe this is low aldosterone, which mimics many of the symptoms of low cortisol. This also explains why after 3pm everyday i cannot walk too far at all without getting a high pulse and difficulty breathing.

Now on the hunt: how to fix low aldosterone other than just salt intake.

FYI peeps, I use WAY more than a pinch in my water. About a half a teaspoon in most glasses of water. I think it's safe to add quite a bit if it tastes good to you that way. I also tend to use and need more at night... Before bed or if I get up to pee.

I feel like I'm in a catch 22 with salt. My doc recommended it and it helped with energy and mood. I felt magical on it. I take a pinch of Himalayan salt every hour and throw it on everything. I don't even want to think how much I take.

Recently a doc ordered aldosterone test and it was mega low. The recommendation is to take florinef to fix it.

I since learned you should limit salt for 2 weeks prior to the test so I'm not sure how reliable the test is.

Salt makes you feel better so you crave more but it lowers aldosterone making you need salt and then you get stuck in a cycle.

Can anyone help. I don't know whether to wean off salt and get aldosterone tested again, keep up with the salt or take the florinef???

PS if you're getting tested make sure you do it before adding salt to your diet