low aldosterone levels

Hi,

I've had aldosterone levels so low they were immeasurable.  The usual treatment is to start taking Fludrocortisone (Florinef).  I've been on it for a year.  This is a mineral corticoid and it takes time for the body to get used to it. It shouldn't worsen the symptoms, it just takes a while to be effective. I recommend getting a good endocrinologist and having other tests done ASAP.  If your daughter has Addisons she will need cortisone in addition to the fludrocortisone. The endocrinologist will want to determine where the problem originated.  It could be thyroid or pituitary related, so be prepared for several batteries of tests.  The fludrocortisone can be started right away, though.  I hope this helps. Good luck! 

So I'll try to answer two questions with the same post.  Yes, fludrocortisone can cause weight gain.  I've had no loss of appetite for the year I've been taking it, and I also have "salt wasting" as a part of my condition, so french fries, etc, always are tempting. It takes discipline and exercise!

I've been to Mayo Clinic twice and have been told that patients have been on it for 10 or more years with no real side efffect problems.  That being said, I still would prefer to be off the medication.  What are your daughter's symptoms?  I had polyuria, peeing 8-1/2 litres per day at the worst time of my condition.  It took more than two months for the medication to bring me back to a normal output.  I have to measure my intake and output every day and also monitor my heart rate to keep from getting dehydrated.  I'm trying to heal and Mayo Clinic thinks that my aldosterone levels should return to normal some day.  Stay positive!

Well now you really have a much better story to tell.  With no symptoms, just repeat the Aldosterone test.  For one thing, it is measured in nanograms per litre, or parts per billion!  This is really hard to measure.  The second thing is that recommendations from the lab my doctor uses says it should be a morning blood draw while standing.  Nobody does it that way unless you ask the technician to draw it while standing.  Don't panic, it's one lab result.

You can ask for a 24 hour urine collection and have aldosterone tested from that.  It is measured in parts per million that way.  It might give you a more accurate result.  Aldosterone levels can vary hour by hour and even day to day. Stay positive. With no symptoms, she may adjust very well if she ends up needing fludrocortisone.  Eugenie Bouchard, Canadian tennis player, has adrenal insufficiency and is a professional tennis player!