Aldosterone is a steroid hormone produced in the adrenal glands that regulates salt and water levels in the body. Too much aldosterone, usually due to a benign adrenal tumor, can cause high blood pressure, low potassium levels, and increased blood volume. Too little aldosterone, as seen in Addison's disease, results in low blood pressure, fatigue, and high potassium levels. Aldosterone's main function is to regulate blood pressure by signaling the kidneys and colon to increase sodium and decrease potassium, which increases blood volume and pressure.
2. Aldosterone
Aldosterone
Aldosterone is a steroid
hormone secreted by adrenal
glands. Its main role is to
regulate salt and water in the
body, thus having an effect on
blood pressure.
4. LOCATION :
Aldosterone is
a steroid
hormone
produced in
the outer
section
(cortex) of the
adrenal
glands, which
sit above the
kidneys.
5. What
happens if
We have too
much
aldosterone?
The most common cause of
high aldosterone levels is
excess production, frequently
from a small benign adrenal
tumour (primary
hyperaldosteronism).
Symptoms:
The symptoms include high
blood pressure, low blood
levels of potassium and an
abnormal increase in blood
volume.
6. What
happens if
We have too
little
aldosterone?
Low aldosterone levels are
found in a rare condition
called Addison’s disease. In
Addison’s Disease, there is a
general loss of adrenal
function resulting in low blood
pressure, lethargy and an
increase in potassium levels in
the blood.
7. Function of
aldosterone?
Aldosterone’s primary
function is to help regulate
your blood pressure.
Aldosterone contributes to
this important function in a
few ways:
Aldosterone signals certain
organs, like your kidneys and
colon, to increase the
amount of sodium they send
into your bloodstream or the
amount of potassium
released in your urine (pee).
8. Function of
aldosterone?
Aldosterone’s effect on
sodium increase causes your
body to retain water in your
blood, which increases blood
volume.
All of these actions are
essential to increasing blood
pressure levels to a healthy
range once they drop.
Indirectly, aldosterone also
helps maintain your blood’s
pH (acid-base balance) and
electrolyte levels.