Aldosterone blood test
Aldosterone - serum; Addison disease - serum aldosterone; Primary hyperaldosteronism - serum aldosterone; Bartter syndrome - serum aldosteroneThe aldosterone blood test measures the level of the hormone aldosterone in blood.
Aldosterone can also be measured using a urine test.
Urine test
The 24-hour urinary aldosterone excretion test measures the amount of aldosterone removed in the urine in a day. Aldosterone can also be measured wit...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleHow the Test is Performed
Blood sample is needed
Venipuncture is the collection of blood from a vein. It is most often done for laboratory testing.
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleHow to Prepare for the Test
Your health care provider may ask you to stop taking certain medicines a few days before the test so that they don't affect the test results. Be sure to tell your provider about all the medicines you take. These include:
- High blood pressure medicines
- Heart medicines
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Antacid and ulcer medicines
- Water pills (diuretics)
Do not stop taking any medicine before talking to your provider. Your provider may recommend that you eat no more than 3 grams of salt (sodium) per day for at least 2 weeks before the test.
Or, your provider may recommend that you eat your usual amount of salt and also test the amount of sodium in your urine.
Sodium in your urine
The sodium urine test measures the amount of sodium the urine. Sodium can also be measured in a blood sample.
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleAt other times, the aldosterone blood test is done right before and after you receive a salt solution (saline) through the vein (IV) for 2 hours. Be aware that other factors can affect aldosterone measurements, including:
- Pregnancy
- High- or low-sodium diet
- High- or low-potassium diet
- Eating large amounts of black licorice
- Strenuous exercise
- Stress
How the Test will Feel
When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain. Others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing or a slight bruise. This soon goes away.
Why the Test is Performed
This test is ordered for the following conditions:
- Certain fluid and electrolyte disorders, most often low or high blood sodium or low potassium
Electrolyte
Electrolytes are minerals in your blood and other body fluids that carry an electric charge. Electrolytes affect how your body functions in many ways...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Hard to control blood pressure
-
Low blood pressure upon standing (orthostatic hypotension)
Low blood pressure
Low blood pressure occurs when blood pressure is much lower than normal. This means the heart, brain, and other parts of the body may not get enough...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Discovery of an adrenal nodule on an abdominal CT scan or MRI done for a different reason (incidentaloma)
Abdominal CT scan
An abdominal CT scan is an imaging method. This test uses x-rays to create cross-sectional pictures of the belly area. CT stands for computed tomog...
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An abdominal magnetic resonance imaging scan is an imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves. The waves create pictures of the inside ...
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Aldosterone is a hormone released by the adrenal glands. It helps the body regulate blood pressure. Aldosterone increases the reabsorption of sodium and water and the release of potassium in the kidneys. This action raises blood pressure.
Adrenal glands
The adrenal glands are two small triangle-shaped glands in the upper abdomen. One gland is located on top of each kidney.
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleAldosterone blood test is often combined with other tests, such as the renin hormone test, to diagnose over- or under-production of aldosterone. The serum potassium and sodium are also often tested along with kidney function.
Renin hormone test
The renin test measures the level of renin in blood.
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleNormal Results
Normal levels vary:
- Between children, teens, and adults
- Depending on whether you were standing, sitting, or lying down when the blood was drawn
Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or test different samples. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test results.
What Abnormal Results Mean
A higher than normal level of aldosterone may be due to:
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Bartter syndrome (group of rare conditions that affect the kidneys)
Bartter syndrome
Bartter syndrome is a group of rare conditions that affect the kidneys.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Adrenal glands release too much aldosterone hormone (primary hyperaldosteronism - usually due to a benign nodule in the adrenal gland)
Primary hyperaldosteronism
Hyperaldosteronism is a disorder in which the adrenal gland releases too much of the hormone aldosterone into the blood. Hyperaldosteronism can be pr...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Very low-sodium diet
- Taking blood pressure medicines called mineralocorticoid antagonists
- Abuse of diuretics
-
Liver cirrhosis
Liver cirrhosis
Cirrhosis is scarring of the liver and poor liver function. It is the last stage of chronic liver disease.
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Heart failure
Heart failure
Heart failure is a condition in which the heart is no longer able to pump oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body efficiently. This causes symptom...
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A lower than normal level of aldosterone may be due to:
- Adrenal gland disorders, including not releasing enough aldosterone, and a condition called primary adrenal insufficiency (Addison disease)
Addison disease
Addison disease is a disorder that causes the adrenal glands to not produce enough hormones.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Very high-sodium diet
Risks
There is little risk involved with having your blood taken. Veins and arteries vary in size from one person to another and from one side of the body to the other. Taking blood from some people may be more difficult than from others.
Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include:
- Excessive bleeding
- Fainting or feeling lightheaded
- Multiple punctures to locate veins
-
Blood accumulating under the skin (hematoma)
Blood accumulating under the skin
A bruise is an area of skin discoloration. A bruise occurs when small blood vessels break and leak their contents into the soft tissue beneath the s...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)
References
Guber HA, Oprea M, Russell YX . Evaluation of endocrine function. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 25.
Young MJ, Fuller PJ. Mineralocorticoids: physiology, metabolism, receptors, and resistance. In: Robertson RP, ed. DeGroot's Endocrinology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 88.
Review Date: 7/30/2023
Reviewed By: Sandeep K. Dhaliwal, MD, board-certified in Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, Springfield, VA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.