Aldosterone is a male hormone produced by the kidneys, playing a key role in maintaining human alertness. Low aldosterone can cause problems such as metabolic disorders, low blood pressure, skin diseases, and sexual dysfunction. Severe deficiency of aldosterone can also lead to a condition called adrenal crisis, which poses a life-threatening risk.

Metabolic disorders can affect the body’s ability to burn calories or convert food into energy. When this condition occurs, blood sugar levels will decrease. This is also a form of glycogen deficiency. Glycogen is the energy needed by the body to control stress and prevent fatigue.

Low blood pressure can have serious adverse effects. Patients are prone to falling and injuring themselves due to dizziness, and they may even lose consciousness.

Low aldosterone can also generally cause an increase in other androgen levels and stimulate melanocytes to become more active. Melanocytes responsible for skin pigmentation can cause skin discoloration as a result. This type of skin disease is also known as hyperpigmentation.

Sexual dysfunction caused by low aldosterone includes reduced libido in both men and women. Women of childbearing age may experience irregular menstruation or amenorrhea. In addition, low aldosterone can also lead to infertility in women.

Adrenal crisis occurs when there is damage to the kidneys or pituitary gland. Kidney damage is also known as Addison’s disease, with symptoms including low blood pressure, darkening of the skin, gastrointestinal disorders, weight loss, and lack of appetite. Adrenal crisis may also occur when kidney insufficiency cannot be corrected immediately.

The early symptoms of low aldosterone are very common, and they are often mistakenly identified as symptoms of other diseases. It is necessary to perform blood tests to determine whether the aldosterone level is too low. Generally, blood samples need to be collected twice, once in the morning and once at night, because levels are higher in the morning and lower at night. Adequate rest before the blood test is important. Patients are usually advised to avoid strenuous physical activity the day before the blood test.

People with low aldosterone are normally given a daily dose of hydrocortisone to replace the deficient aldosterone. Hydrocortisone injection is required during adrenal crisis. If infection occurs due to adrenal crisis, antibiotics are also needed.