Many patients with symptoms of fatigue and often salt-craving, “cognitive fuzziness”, dizziness or lightheadedness on standing, or palpitations have low blood levels of aldosterone. Similarly, deficiencies of cortisol and aldosterone deficiencies may be independent. Excesses of cortisol and aldosterone may occur independently, that is a patient may have only excess aldosterone, only excess cortisol, or excesses of both. When the adrenal is not making aldosterone, renin, a kidney hormone, increases. Severe cases may lead to high potassium and low sodium in blood tests. Deficiencies of aldosterone are much less appreciated than deficiencies of cortisol, and lead to low blood pressure and high pulse, especially on standing, the desire to eat salt (salt-craving), dizziness or lightheadedness on standing, and palpitations. Excesses of aldosterone leads to high blood pressure and low potassium. If the pituitary is not working, both ACTH and cortisol levels may be low.Īldosterone is the salt-retaining hormone and is a mineralocorticoid. If the adrenals are making too little cortisol, the pituitary compensates and makes more of the hormone, ACTH. Too little cortisol is part of the syndrome called Addison’s disease, often marked by low energy, joint and abdominal pain, weight loss, diarrhea, fever, and electrolyte disturbances. Too much cortisol from any cause leads to Cushing’s syndrome the symptoms and signs of which include redistribution of fat to the face, upper back and abdomen, weight gain, stretch marks, bruising, extra hair growth, irregular periods in women, loss of muscle, trouble sleeping and emotional problems, such as depression. Its levels are the highest in the morning, and are increased by stress and severe illness. Cortisol, a glucocorticoid, is the stress hormone and is involved in weight control, infection fighting, quality of skin and bones, and heart function. Excesses or deficiencies of these hormones result in important clinical problems. The adrenals also contain an outer cortex, which produces hormones such as cortisol, aldosterone, testosterone, DHEA, DHEAS, androstenedione and estrogens.Ĭortisol and aldosterone are two of the most important hormones the body makes. The adrenals’ inner medulla produces epinephrine and norepinephrine (adrenaline). The adrenals, small glands located above each kidney, produce a number of important hormones.

Hormones of adrenal cortex