Aldosterone is a hormone that the adrenal glands produce to control levels of sodium and potassium in the blood. Primary aldosteronism is the most common cause of high aldosterone levels in the blood stream and is most commonly caused by a noncancerous or benign tumor in the adrenal gland. Potassium, also controlled by aldosterone, primarily affects muscle and nerve function. Thus, altering aldosterone can have significant side effects.
High Blood Pressure
Aldosterone is the primary hormone that controls blood pressure, states MayoClinic.com. Thus, a change in blood pressure is a side effect of aldosterone. Because aldosterone controls sodium levels in the blood, it is a primary hormone that controls blood pressure. Low sodium in the blood stream will decrease blood pressure, and high sodium will cause high blood pressure. Therefore, high levels of aldosterone will cause signs of hypertension, which include headache and vision changes. Furthermore, low levels of aldosterone will cause signs of hypotension, or low blood pressure, that include fatigue, weakness, lightheadedness, dizziness and fainting. Thus, a patient with uncontrolled high blood pressure or untreated low blood pressure should have his adrenal function assessed. A doctor can perform a blood test to detect levels of aldosterone in the blood stream to determine if aldosterone is causing high blood pressure.
Paralysis
Medline Plus, of the National Institutes of Health, states that alterations in aldosterone levels may cause intermittent paralysis. This occurs because aldosterone affects potassium levels in the blood stream. Specifically, high aldosterone levels will increase potassium levels in the blood stream. High potassium levels cause intermittent paralysis, because potassium is the major electrolyte that controls the resting states of muscles, thus preventing involuntary muscle contractions. Therefore, increasing potassium levels beyond the normal range can make it more difficult to contract a muscle, which results in paralysis. Aldosterone levels must be controlled to return potassium levels back to normal.
Numbness
Numbness is an affect of high aldosterone levels, states Medline Plus. This occurs because aldosterone affects potassium levels in the blood stream. Potassium is an electrolyte that affects sensory nerve cells. Specifically, potassium prevents nerves from becoming too excited or hypersensitive to touch at normal levels. Thus, when potassium levels are too high, a patient will experience generalized numbness, or loss of sensation. Because aldosterone controls potassium, normalization of aldosterone will improve potassium levels and treat numbness.
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