Your body uses a complex hormonal communication system known as the endocrine system. Your endocrine system relays communication about your hormone levels so they are kept balanced. Your adrenal glands -- two triangular glands that sit atop your kidneys -- are part of this system. They produce aldosterone, a hormone that regulates sodium reabsorption. Excess aldosterone causes your kidneys to reabsorb too much sodium.
Adrenal Glands
Your adrenal glands produce hormones that regulate mineral balance, known as mineralcorticoids. They also produce steroid hormones, known as corticosteroids, which control a wide range of physiological responses. The most common corticosteroid is cortisol, a stress hormone. Your adrenal glands also produce adrenaline, another commonly known hormone. Too much or too little of any hormone can have adverse health effects. Your adrenal glands excrete enough to meet your needs, under normal circumstances.
Aldosterone
Your body uses aldosterone as its primary mineralcorticoid. It controls sodium balance. Aldosterone signals your kidneys to retain sodium and excrete potassium to keep them in balance. Sodium and potassium conduct electricity, so they are known as electrolytes. Electrolyte balance is important to your heart, brain and skeletal system. Your body needs more sodium than potassium. Aldosterone works to keep a proper ratio between the two.
Hyperaldosteronism
When your adrenal glands produce excess aldosterone, it is called hyperaldosteronism. You may experience high sodium and low potassium levels because aldosterone controls how much of these minerals your kidneys retain. High sodium is known as hypernatremia. This can cause dizziness and diarrhea. Your body depends on potassium to help regulate heartbeat, so an improper sodium to potassium ration can cause irregular heart rhythm.
Causes
High blood pressure can cause excess aldosterone, according to Medline Plus. An adrenal tumor can also trigger excess aldosterone production. This is common if you are between 30 to 50 years of age, according to Medline Plus. However, adrenal tumors are usually noncancerous. Liver cirrhosis and heart failure are other conditions that can cause too much aldosterone, according to Medline Plus.
Test and Treatment
Your doctor can perform an aldosterone test to assess your levels. The normal range sitting upright is 5 to 41 ng/dL, according to Medline Plus. If you are lying down, the normal range is 2 to 16 ng/dL. Treatment for excess aldosterone depends on the cause. Your doctor will assess your results and decide the best course of action.
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