Text 7084, 123 rader
Skriven 2006-10-30 07:43:11 av Gerald Miller (1:342/512)
   Kommentar till text 7066 av BURTON FORD (1:123/140)
Ärende: Hmmm..... Good question.
================================
Hello BURTON,

    On Sunday October 29 2006 at 22:07,
    BURTON FORD [1:123/140] wrote to ALL,
    about: Hmmm..... Good question.

 BF> About six weeks or so ago my Doctor said he thought my high blood
 BF> pressure and my extremely low blood potassium could be related.  He
 BF> talked vaguely about something called Aldosterone.  Then he sent me to
 BF> an Endocrinologist.

[snip]

 BF> I can't tell you about Aldosterone, because I have yet to dog into it.
 BF> In a couple of days I will, probably.

 BF> I'll tell you about our nice weekend in another note.

Yes, wonderful weekend and you get a B+ for the report.  ;-))

Because I care about all my friends in this echo, I Googled for
Aldosterone and here are two results:

===
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aldosterone

Aldosterone

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Aldosterone is a steroid hormone produced by the outer-section (zona
glomerulosa) of the adrenal cortex in the adrenal gland to regulate
sodium and potassium balance in the blood. It is synthesized from
cholesterol by aldosterone synthase, which is absent in other sections
of the adrenal gland. It is the sole endogenous member of the class of
mineralocorticoids. Acting on mineralocorticoid receptors (MR) on
principal cells in the collecting ducts of the kidneys, it increases
the permeability of their apical (luminal) membrane to potassium and
sodium and activates their basolateral Na+/K+ pumps, stimulating ATP
hydrolysis, reabsorbing sodium (Na+) ions and water into the blood,
and excreting potassium (K+) ions into the urine. Aldosterone also
stimulates H+ secretion by ?-intercalated cells in the collecting
duct, regulating plasma bicarbonate (HCO3-) levels and its acid/base
balance.

Aldosterone is responsible for the reabsorption of about 2% of
filtered sodium in the kidneys, which is nearly equal to the entire
sodium content in human blood under normal GFR (glomerular filtration
rate).

Unlike neuroreceptors, classic steroid receptors are intracellularly
located. The aldosterone/MR receptor complex binds on the DNA to the
hormone response element, which alters protein synthesis and the
transcription of messenger RNA. Some of the transcribed genes are
important for transepithelial sodium transport, including serum and
glucocorticoid-induced kinase, channel-inducing factor, K-ras2A, and
three subunits of the epithelial sodium channel.

Aldosterone synthesis is stimulated by increased plasma angiotensin
II or potassium levels, which are present in proportion to plasma
sodium deficiencies. It is also stimulated by plasma acidosis. The
secretion of aldosterone has a diurnal rhythm; about 75% of the daily
production is secreted between 04:00 am and 10:00 am each day.

Aldesterone release is also stimulated by the stretch receptors
located in the atria of the heart. If decreased blood pressure is
detected, the adrenal gland is stimulated by these stretch receptors
to release aldesterone, which increases sodium reabsorption from the
urine, sweat and the gut. This causes increased osmolarity in the
extracellular fluid which will eventually return blood pressure
toward normal.

==========

http://www.webmd.com/hw/hormonal_disorders/hw6534.asp

A-Z Health Guide from WebMD: Medical Tests

   Aldosterone

Test Overview

An aldosterone test is done to measure the level of the hormone
aldosterone in the blood, which is produced by the adrenal glands.
Aldosterone helps regulate levels of sodium and potassium in the
body, which in turn helps control blood pressure, the distribution of
fluids in the body, and the balance of electrolytes in the blood.

A high aldosterone level causes a condition called aldosteronism or
hyperaldosteronism. Symptoms of aldosteronism include high blood
pressure, muscle cramps and weakness, numbness or tingling in the
hands, and low levels of potassium in the blood.

Low aldosterone levels may indicate Addison's disease or may occur
in people who have diabetes.

The kidney hormone renin normally stimulates the adrenal glands to
release aldosterone. High levels of both renin and aldosterone are
normally present when the body is trying to conserve fluid and salt
(sodium). When a tumor is present, an aldosterone level will be high
while a renin level will be low. Usually a renin activity test is
done when the aldosterone level is measured.

Aldosterone levels may vary between men and women and are somewhat
dependent on the amount of salt in a person's diet. In pregnant
women, normal aldosterone values may be 2 to 3 times higher than in
women who are not pregnant. Normal aldosterone levels in infants and
children may be significantly higher than those of adults.

A 24-hour urine test may be an alternative test to measure
aldosterone levels, though it is not commonly used for this purpose.
===

There is a vast amount of information on the web, but I thought the above
two references put it in layman terms (although Wiki might be a mite over
my head)...

I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

           Cheers ... Gerald

--- GoldED+/DPMI32 v1.1.5-b20060121
 * Origin: Success comes in cans - not can'ts. (1:342/512)