Too much sodium is associated with adverse health effects such as high blood pressure. However, the right amount of sodium is crucial to your health. Sodium is the primary mineral in your extra-cellular fluid, which is the fluid outside of your cells. Your adrenal glands, which are part of your endocrine system, secrete the hormone aldosterone. It helps balance sodium levels in your body. A problem with your adrenal glands can lead to a sodium imbalance.
Significance
Most of the sodium in your body comes from your diet and is in the compound form of sodium chloride, also known as salt. Sodium helps your body maintain proper fluid volume and helps transmit nerve impulses. It is also needed for muscle contraction. Sodium is in a family of minerals known as electrolytes, because it carries an electrical charge. It works with your kidneys to make sure other electrolytes in your body remain balanced.
Adrenals
Your endocrine system is a complex group of hormone-producing organs that maintain communication about the hormone levels in your body. Your adrenal glands are two triangular-shaped glands that sit atop your kidneys. They secrete a wide variety of hormones and are most well known for the stress hormone cortisol. Your adrenal glands secrete a class of hormones called mineralcorticoids, which help maintain proper mineral balance. Aldosterone is one such hormone.
Aldosterone
A drop in sodium levels signals your adrenals glands to release aldosterone into your bloodstream. The presence of aldosterone in your bloodstream triggers your kidneys to reabsorb sodium and excrete potassium. This helps make sure your sodium and potassium levels remain balanced. When sodium levels are high, the absence of aldosterone in your bloodstream triggers your kidneys to excrete sodium and reabsorb potassium.
Insufficiency
Decreased adrenal function means that your adrenal glands are not secreting enough of its hormones to meet your body's needs. Because your adrenal glands secrete a variety of hormones, including aldosterone, this can affect your fluid levels. If your adrenal glands become unable to secrete enough aldosterone you may experience excess sodium loss. This may sound like a good thing, however it is not. Sodium deficiency can cause muscle spasms, fatigue, low blood pressure and electrolyte imbalance. Your doctor can prescribe aldosterone to correct this and administer tests to determine why your adrenal glands are under-performing.
