Years ago, when we were seeing a lot of us having a cortisol problem, we were also surprised to see that perhaps 50% of those with a cortisol problem (whether high or low) also had low aldosterone. Check out the information below. ~Janie, hypothyroid patient and site creator
Low aldosterone–did you know that it can go hand-in-hand with a cortisol problem??
Aldosterone, a steroid hormone just like cortisol, is produced in the same area of the adrenals as cortisol is produced–the outer cortex of your adrenals . This area also produces/releases testosterone, DHEA, DHEAS, androstenedione and estrogens. Aldosterone is the principal of a group called mineralocorticoids (whereas cortisol is in the group called glucocorticoids). Aldosterone helps regulate levels of sodium and potassium in your body, i.e. it helps you retain needed salt, which in turn helps control your blood pressure, the distribution of fluids in the body, and the balance of electrolytes in your blood. It does all this by stimulating your kidneys to both take in more sodium while releasing excess potassium–a vital balance in your heath and well-being.
What exactly stimulates aldosterone production??
Several things will stimulate aldosterone secretion in a healthy body: when you potassium levels go too high, when sodium goes low, if there is less blood flow to your kidneys, or if your blood pressure falls.
On the other side of the coin, aldosterone secretion will fall if your potassium levels fall, the blood flow in your kidneys increases, blood volume increases…or if you consume too much salt. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aldosterone It can also fall when one’s cortisol falls!
What are symptoms if aldosterone gets too high or too low?
When aldosterone gets too high (as it can under stress and as your cortisol goes too high), your blood pressure also gets too high and your potassium levels become too low. You can have muscle cramps, muscle weakness, and numbness or tingling in your extremities.
But when it gets too low, which can be common in some patients with cortisol problems, symptoms can include (you can some, not others):
lower range sodium levels (kidney excreting too much salt, leading to low blood pressure in some)
craving salty foods
frequent urination
sweating more than you used to (not as common as frequent urination)
slightly higher body temperature
feeling thirstier than you used to
higher pulse or palps
dizziness or lightheadedness when you stand
fatigue
AN INTERESTING CLUE: Have a dog? Is your dog licking your legs here or there? Well, that’s not necessarily ‘love”, even if your dog greatly loves you!!!. That is indicative of the salt wasting by low aldosterone as reported by patients who own dogs!woof!
Another clue that your aldosterone may be too low?? Never finding stable DATS–you just keep going higher and higher with the HC or Adrenal Cortex and end up on too much!!
How do I test Aldosterone and what should I look for in the results?
Testing for aldosterone is usually done by a blood test. We as patients also read that it may also be important to avoid all salt for at LEAST 24 hours before the test, and to be moving around for two hours before you test. If you are a heavy salt user, being off salt for at least 2-3 days may be important to clear it out better.
8 am, or after you wake up, is a good time to do the test since aldosterone levels would be at their highest in the early morning. For a complete picture, ask your doctor to include your renin, as well as sodium and potassium.
Here’s a facility where you can order your own aldosterone test, then take your slip to a draw facility.
NOTE: aldosterone levels can be doubled if you are pregnant, and are normally a little higher in children than in adults.
We have noted that when someone has LOW aldosterone symptoms (as seen in the symptoms above), they tend to fall “around” mid-range or lower in lab results. When someone does NOT have low aldosterone, then tend to fall GREATLY ABOVE mid-range, even closer to the top part of the range.
More in Chapter 6 in the updated revision STTM book. VERY IMPORTANT TO READ ABOUT ALL THIS AND BE PREPARED TO TEACH YOUR DOCTOR.
IMPORTANT NOTE FOR MENSTRUATING WOMEN: It’s strongly recommended by practitioners to test your aldosterone in the first week of your menstrual cycle (i.e. the week you start bleeding), or up until the beginning of the week after–this is when progesterone is at its lowest. Progesterone can drive your aldosterone up falsely, and progesterone begins to rise at the end of the second week of your cycle.
Tell me about Florinef, the medication for low aldosterone?
The treatment of choice by practitioners appears to be fludrocortisone acetate with the brand name Florinef, a very potent steroid with mineralocorticoid properties. This is where you need to study the section in Chapter 6 of the updated revision STTM book on how we learned to use it. Be prepared to teach your doctor!! For example, you do NOT start on a full pill. Read that chapter. This book ———>
In the chapter 6 of the book shown above, you will see how we learned to start on Florinef, how we raise, where we often end up in total amount, what we look for to find that right amount, how we use the blood pressure test to find the right amount is, since individuality can come into play. Teach all this to your doctor.
ARE YOU ALREADY ON HC (hydrocortisone aka Cortef) WHEN YOU DISCOVERED LOW ALDOSTERONE??It’s also important to note that some patients who are already on cortisol) may have to lower it slightly to compensate for the glucocorticoid potency of Florinef. It’s also recommended to take your Florinef with sea salt mixed in water.
—> When using Florinef, we have learned to keep track of blood pressure, pulse, and electrolytes sodium and potassium.
Why might some need both Florinef and HC (or ACE for only minor or moderately low cortisol as proven by a saliva test) if both are steroids?
Because Florinef (fludrocortisone) better imitates what Aldosterone does, and Cortef (hydrocortisone) or Adrenal Cortex (ACE) better imitates what cortisol does.
Florinef has greater mineralcorticoid activity, just like Aldosterone does. To have mineralcorticoid activity means it controls electrolyte and water levels, mainly by promoting sodium retention in the kidney. (yours is low, thus the reason you urinate a lot, and lose salt because of that.).
Cortef has greater glucocorticoid activity, just like Cortisol does. To have glucocorticoid activity means it controls carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism and is anti-inflammatory. It allows thyroid hormones to get to your cells.
So you can see that Cortef or ACE won’t help you retain salt, just as Florinef won’t help thyroid hormones get to your cells.
Florinef tends to lower potassium?
Yes, we have noticed. So patients talk to their doctors about the use of “prescription potassium”, even as high as 8000mg a day. But do work with your doctor to find the right amount for you which helps bring low potassium back up.
Need gluten-free aldosterone treatment?
Barr Pharmaceuticals (the parent company is Teva Pharaceuticals), maker of generic florinef (for low aldosterone), claim that their product is gluten free. The starches are potato and corn sourced.
Want to order your own labwork for aldosterone and renin, plus electrolytes?? STTM has created the right ones just for you to discuss with your doctor. Go here: https://sttm.mymedlab.com/
Afraid of Florinef?? Here’s a blog post from a gal who loves her Florinef! And STUDY CHAPTER 6 in the updated revision STTM book on how we learned to use it wisely!
SUCCESS STORIES:
TED: I started taking Florinef (100ug) two weeks ago, before knowing the dosing from Chris (i.e. not to start on 100ug). Never had a problem, and felt the difference the first day. All positive. Going off salt to take the aldosterone test isn’t an option for me. I’d be in a coma long before the test date! I’m now on 40 mg Cortef, 120mg Armour, 100ug Florinef and feeling far better than I’ve felt in many years. I’m sure I’ll stumble along the way as I increase the Armour, but I think I’m prepared for that. My constant “background†headaches have virtually disappeared……incredible!!!
MICHELLE: I have been on .1 mgs florinef for about 2 months now and what a difference. Before Florinef, I would drink and drink water and still was so puffy. And talk about being dehydrated! I would wake in the morning dying of thirst. I was constantly breathless, and my hearttrate was over 100 resting. Since being on Florinef, I notice increased energy towards the end of the day. I’m not so dehydrated and I handle heat alot better. I also don’t feel so out of breath all the time. My pulse is now is 75-80. I don’t need to take as much salt, since I think I get enough from my foods. I do notice if it is really hot out and I am sweating alot, I might do 1/4 tsp of sea salt and I am ok. For me I know I am taking too much sea salt when my legs cramp.
Have a Florinef success story? Send it via the STTM Contact below and we’ll get your story up to inspire others. Keep it short like those above.
