Aldosterone

[emagic]

Hi,

I am a 38 year old woman.  I am thin and a runner and I have been experiencing severe facial and abdominal swelling for 4 - 5 weeks.  

I maintain a low sodium diet.  I frequently experience dehydration.  I work in a tall building, in a very fast pace, stressful environment.

I recently increased my weekly mileage for training, and separately but at the same time had an increase in my estrogen levels (I think from consuming more phytoestrogens than normal as part of elecrolyte replacement therapy).

I read online that aldosterone levels increase for several reasons including:

1. maintianing low sodium diet
2. dehydration
3. high altitude
4. stimulation of the adrenal gland
5. increased estrogen levels
6. exercise

It seems like all of the above causes apply to me, and I think that I have too much aldesterone causing the facial and abdominal swelling.  

What can I do to decrease the aldosterone level and the swelling?

What type of doctor can help?

I went to my gyn and he had blood tests ordered, but he said everything was normal.  He did not order a test for my aldesterone level.  I asked him for a referral to an endochronologist, but I am still waiting for a referral.

Could an endochronologist help?  Should I go to a sports medicine practitioner?

[Waterbegone]

Hi! Did u ever find out what's causing high aldosterone? I have it and I exercise daily, drink coffee and take adderall....I've gained 20 lbs of fluid!

[emagic]

Thanks!  I did see that website before, but it was good to read it again.  

I asked my gyn for a referral to an endochronologist, and I am waiting to hear back from a sports medicine pratictioner.

[Mellowscout]

I have no idea to tell you how you can "reverse" the effects as I am not a doctor, but aldosterone is a hormone and endo's deal with hormones.  I would think that is the direction that you should be heading in.

I found this site online { which you probably already found } but I'll pass it along anyways.  

http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/aldosterone

Mellowscout...good luck.