Mineralocorticoids are hormones produced by the adrenal cortex that regulate electrolyte levels in the body. Imbalances can cause serious health problems, but can be detected through a blood test. Conditions include Addison’s disease, Cushing’s syndrome, and Conn’s syndrome. Treatment involves administering hormones to compensate for deficiencies or reducing dosages for excess levels.
Mineralocorticoids are hormones produced by the adrenal cortex, the nucleus of the adrenal glands. These hormones are critical to healthy body function, and a radical increase or decrease in mineralocorticoids can cause serious health problems or death if not addressed. The levels of these hormones in the body can be determined with a blood test. Some conditions involving these hormones include: Addison’s disease, Cushing’s syndrome, and Conn’s syndrome.
These hormones are among the larger family of steroid hormones. These hormones are responsible for regulating electrolyte levels in the body. They determine when the body must secrete or store electrolytes such as salt or sodium, and in the process, hormones also regulate urination and the amount of fluid in the body. Since maintaining the right balance of electrolytes is very important, one can see the need for correct levels of mineralocorticoids such as aldosterone in the body.
The electrolyte balance in the body plays a role in a number of things, from cellular function to blood pressure. Imbalances can cause a chain reaction of events that can spiral out of control unless the imbalance is corrected. Permanent damage can also be caused by an excess or a shortage that can persist for extended periods. These hormones can kick into action in these situations, with production stimulated by the body as it sends signals that there is a problem. If production is stopped for some reason, major organs in the body will begin to fail.
In someone with a mineralocorticoid deficiency, such as that caused by Addison’s disease, the body will not be able to regulate electrolyte levels properly. The resulting imbalance can cause organ failure, vomiting, low blood pressure, loss of consciousness, and similar syndromes. The condition is treated by administering hormones to compensate for the body’s inability to produce the right amount.
When there are too many mineralocorticoids in the blood, the patient may experience weight gain, bruising, infertility, hirsutism, high blood pressure, high blood sugar and a number of other problems. If the increased levels are caused by the use of mineralocorticoids to treat a medical condition, dosages will be reduced. If the problem is a result of problems with the adrenal glands, the glands may need to be removed, which means that the patient will need to take supplemental hormones throughout their life to compensate for the steroids not being produced by the body.
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