What would be considered Normal level of Aldosterone?

[Peyt]

Hi All.
I am looking at my blood test and it says Aldosterone: 4.3 and it shows normal range as: 0 -30
So what does that mean? How can the low range start from 0? So In order for Aldosterone to be flagged low it need to be a negative number?
Thanks
Peyt

 

[Kati]

Hi @Peyt seemingly you are within range for aldosterone, and it would be abnormal if it were over 30.
I haven’t looked particularily into this one hormone, however since the normal range seems so wide, it could vary through the day or from the amount of salt you ingest.

A quick google search seem to look at the aldosterone-renin ratio, so perhaps aldosterone alone is not as significant as the ratio?

 

[Learner1]

This discusses the significance of low aldosterone, which many of us have:

https://csrf.net/doctors-articles/s...nal-cortex-hormones-cortisol-and-aldosterone/

Yours sounds a little low. Do you have any symptoms?

 

[Peyt]

This discusses the significance of low aldosterone, which many of us have:

https://csrf.net/doctors-articles/s...nal-cortex-hormones-cortisol-and-aldosterone/

Yours sounds a little low. Do you have any symptoms?

Yes I do,
I constantly have this feeling of heaviness in my legs as if there is too much blood or fluid that is just sitting there and not making it to the upper parts of the body,
I also have headaches, fatigue and fast heart rate... My heart rate is around 90 sitting down and 120 after standing for about 10 minutes. I also have poor sleep, poor digestion (SIBO) , brain fog, and host of other symptoms that I cant recall right now.

 

[Peyt]

I forgot to say, even with the fast heart rate, my blood pressure tends to be on the lower side all the time.

 

[Peyt]

Hi @Peyt seemingly you are within range for aldosterone, and it would be abnormal if it were over 30.
I haven’t looked particularily into this one hormone, however since the normal range seems so wide, it could vary through the day or from the amount of salt you ingest.

A quick google search seem to look at the aldosterone-renin ratio, so perhaps aldosterone alone is not as significant as the ratio?

I don't think any doctor has measured my aldosterone-renin ratio yet but I do know that I have high cortisol.. (Both morning plasma and 24 hour saliva)

 

[Learner1]

It sounds like you may have POTS, postural orthostsic tachycardia syndrome or st least orthostatic intolerance. Have you had a tilt table test done?

The article I linked to mentions Florinef and Midodrine that some people around here are on for low BP/orthostsic intolerance.

A few of us have adrenergic antibodies causing it. We've done a CellTrend test to find them:

http://www.celltrend.de/cfs-diagnostics.html

Then, have you done a 24 hour cortisol test to see if the high cortisol persists? What might be stressing your system to make your cortisol run high? Working on the SIBO and any other digestive issues would be helpful. And do you have any viral or bacterial infections lurking?

 

[Peyt]

It sounds like you may have POTS, postural orthostsic tachycardia syndrome or st least orthostatic intolerance. Have you had a tilt table test done?

The article I linked to mentions Florinef and Midodrine that some people around here are on for low BP/orthostsic intolerance.

A few of us have adrenergic antibodies causing it. We've done a CellTrend test to find them:

http://www.celltrend.de/cfs-diagnostics.html

Then, have you done a 24 hour cortisol test to see if the high cortisol persists? What might be stressing your system to make your cortisol run high? Working on the SIBO and any other digestive issues would be helpful. And do you have any viral or bacterial infections lurking?

Hi Learner1,
I have not had a tilt table test done. I have made an appointment with a POTS specialist for the end of this month.
The 2 cortisol tests that I had done were blood plasma which was a spot test and a Saliva test which was done 5 years ago both showing high cortisol in the morning.
As far as viral/bacteria infections, I had EBV but when I tested it recently it was not in a reactivated state.
I do also have sleep apnea, which I am trying to address with a APAP machine but having constant high heart rate which causes anxiety makes it hard to get REM sleep because I have sleep disturbance.

While waiting for my appointment with the POTS specialist, I am working with a Cranial Osteopathic Doctor (D.O.) who has been trying to address my sleep and digestion issues by working on the Vegus nerve. I have only had 2 sessions with her but I have to say I am very optimistic about her work because I am now able to sleep about 4 hours without disturbance. She has also advised me to use a chin strap at night while using the APAP machine which has been helpful because many times I would wake up because my mouth would open and the air would be gushing out from the APAP and the strap takes care of that part. ....

I am currently looking into this DNRS program as some people claim it has helped them with POTS by rewiring the brain... I don't know if I can believe that at this point. (still learning about that)

Any tips or advise would be greatly appreciated.

 

[maryb]

15 or better is typically considered optimal.

 

[Peyt]

15 or better is typically considered optimal.

Sorry but can you clarify what you mean by "better"?
So if someone is below 15 does that mean they are low? My concern here is that my aldosterone is too low not too high. I assumed this is a known though since this is the usual pattern with POTS patients.

 

[pamojja]

I am looking at my blood test and it says Aldosterone: 4.3 and it shows normal range as: 0 -30

My past 2 Aldosterone test showed a reverence range of 28 - 444 pmol/L, so guess your is per dl?

 

[Peyt]

My past 2 Aldosterone test showed a reverence range of 28 - 444 pmol/L, so guess your is per dl?

Yes it is dl.
How can the bottom normal be 0 is my question... no wonder this goes undetected! This is from LabCorp by the way here in USA .

 

[heapsreal]

My aldosterone test was normal yet blood tests kept showing mild dehydration. Dr Tetlebaum has written cfsers drink like fish and piss like a race horses.

A normal urine output for an adult is 1 to 1.5ltrs in 24hrs. I did my own 24hr urine test and definitely pissed like a racehorse with a flooding 10litre urine output in 24hrs.

I could literally go for a big leak, shake, walk down the hallway and turn around and do another big leak. I would take more steps a day going for a piss than any other activity. During the night id constantly be getting up to piss. I do drink alot of fluid so i do ok at maintaining the amount i lose but obviously not adequate.

So my dr said it was reasonable to try minirin, a synthetic vasopressin which control fluid and electrolyte balances. Wow! What a difference mostly on sleep. It was the first time in years id slept through the night, i didnt realise just how much i was getting up through the night to pee. During the day if working or out you dont realise that you case the place out for a toilet or a big tree.

Minirin worked well but one possible side effect is it can lower sodium levels, a process i cant explain but it doesnt seem right that sodium drops when you stop peeing. Low sodium is like another horrible layer of cfs on top of your normal cfs. But i reversed this by using salt tablets intermittently and by using minirin mostly at night or During the day only if neccessary. I think the recommended dosing is 3 times a day but for me once in the morning and once at night is plenty.

Why does this happen? It can be apart of the neurological damage from ME. Signalling of ones sodium and potassium levels is controlled by vassopressin which comes from the hypothalamus. Showing a part of the hpa axis that can be damaged and many of our hormones are signalled by the hpa axis. It would also be worth testing cortisol, dhea and sex hormones that are in an optimal range as hpa dysfunction can effect them also. This hpa axis can play a big role in pots/oi/orthostatic symptoms. Do i have orthostatic issues??? Not obvious that i know of. No obvious low blood pressure issue but never had a tilt table test to diagnose it, but its quite possible.

For me its improved comfort and suprisingly improved my sleep which has helped overall wellbeing. Fixing the dehydration i havent noticed much there but i did a good job of keeping my fluids up to a certain degree. I can see it helping people who have trouble maintaining their fluid intake and have orthostatic issues.

Might be worth testing ones on urine output over 24hrs yourself and if excessive than discuss with your dr and probably do an official 24hr urine test.

Cheers

 

[maryb]

Sorry but can you clarify what you mean by "better"?
So if someone is below 15 does that mean they are low? My concern here is that my aldosterone is too low not too high. I assumed this is a known though since this is the usual pattern with POTS patients.

I can’t remember where I read it now but yes, I believe it is best to be above 15. Florinef may help with symptoms.