What Is Aldosterone Hormone Replacement Therapy?

Aldosterone hormone replacement therapy is an element of the treatment for Addison's disease, which causes the adrenal glands to produce too little of two hormones, aldosterone as well as cortisol. Addison's disease is an autoimmune disorder, and is caused by the immune system attacking the adrenal glands. Through aldosterone hormone replacement therapy and the replacement of other affected hormones, the negative effects of Addison's disease are mitigated.

Function

• Aldosterone is a hormone of the mineralocorticoid group. According to the National Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Information Service (NEMDIS), aldosterone participates in maintaining proper blood pressure levels as well as helping the kidneys maintain sodium/potassium balance, which promotes the balance of salt and water within the body.

Effects

• When the adrenal glands do not produce enough aldosterone, the kidneys lose the ability to maintain a proper balance of sodium and potassium. According to the NEMDIS, this can lead to a decreases in the volume of blood and of blood pressure.

Treatment

• To correct an underproduction of aldosterone caused by Addison's disease, the medication fludrocortisone acetate (Florinef) is administered. This medication is taken orally either once or twice a day, according to the NEMDIS. People who are on aldosterone replacement therapy often need to increase their dietary intake of salt .

Considerations

• There are times when the level of aldosterone replacement therapy needs to be increased. According to the Mayo Clinic, these times include surgery, infection and illness; the NEMDIS reports that hormone replacement therapy may also be increased around the time of labor for pregnant women. People who cannot take oral medication may be given hormone replacement intravenously, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Prevention

• The NEMDIS recommends that people with Addison's should have identification to indicate that they have adrenal insufficiency as well as the appropriate dose of cortisol to assist them in an emergency. It is further recommended that people who are traveling should bring cortisol with them to administer in the event of an emergency.