Understanding Endocrine and Metabolic Conditions

Learn about a wide range of hormonal, adrenal, thyroid, and metabolic conditions. Each article provides clear, concise information to help you better understand the causes, symptoms, and potential health impacts of these disorders.

Hyperaldosteronism: When Your Body Holds Too Much Salt

Hyperaldosteronism is a condition where the adrenal glands produce too much aldosterone, a hormone that helps regulate blood pressure by controlling salt and potassium levels. This hormonal imbalance causes the body to retain sodium and water while losing potassium, leading to high blood pressure and sometimes low potassium (hypokalemia).


There are two main types:

  • Primary hyperaldosteronism (Conn’s syndrome): Caused by an adrenal tumor or adrenal gland overgrowth.
  • Secondary hyperaldosteronism: Caused by other conditions like heart failure, liver disease, or kidney problems that stimulate excess aldosterone production.


Symptoms may include:

  • Hard-to-control or resistant high blood pressure
  • Muscle weakness or cramps
  • Frequent urination
  • Fatigue
  • Headaches
  • Tingling or numbness


Diagnosis includes blood tests to measure aldosterone and renin levels, followed by confirmatory testing like salt loading, imaging of the adrenal glands, or adrenal vein sampling.


Treatment depends on the cause:

  • For adrenal tumors or overgrowth: surgery or medications like mineralocorticoid receptor blockers (e.g., spironolactone).
  • For secondary causes: addressing the underlying condition and using medications to block aldosterone’s effects.

At Health Force One, our endocrinology team offers comprehensive care for hyperaldosteronism. We provide lab testing, adrenal imaging coordination, personalized treatment plans, and telehealth follow-up to help you manage your blood pressure and overall health.

References:

  1. Funder JW, et al. (2016). The Management of Primary Aldosteronism: Case Detection, Diagnosis, and Treatment. J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 101(5), 1889–1916. https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2015-4061
  2. Monticone S, et al. (2020). Primary aldosteronism: pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol, 8(8), 651–664. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-8587(20)30128-5
  3. Vaidya A, Carey RM. (2020). Evolution of primary aldosteronism screening and diagnosis. Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes, 27(3), 139–146.
  4. Brown JM, et al. (2017). The Unrecognized Prevalence of Primary Aldosteronism: A Cross-sectional Study. Ann Intern Med, 167(11), 733–741. https://doi.org/10.7326/M17-1203
  5. Hundemer GL, et al. (2018). Cardiovascular Risk in Apparent Treatment-Resistant Hypertension: A Cohort Study. Circulation, 137(13), 1341–1350. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.117.030752