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<div class="HwContainer HwElement" id="HwContainer"><a class="HwMainSkipNavigation" href="#HwContentTitle"><span class="HwAccessibilityText">Skip Navigation</span></a><div class="HwBlock" id="HwMain" role="main"><div class="HwRow"><div class="HwColumn" id="HwColumnSidebar1"><div class="HwCustom" id="HwCustomSidebar"> </div></div><div class="HwColumn" id="HwColumnContent"><div id="HwContentTop"> </div><div class="HwTypeMedicalTest HwContentWrapper HwElement" role="article" id="HwContentWrapper"><div class="HwCustom" id="HwCustomContentTop"> </div><div class="HwContentHeader"><p><a name="top" id="Hwtop"><span class="HwAccessibilityText">Top of the page</span></a> </p></div><div class="HwContentTitle"><h1 id="HwContentTitle" tabindex="-1">Aldosterone in Blood Test</h1></div><div class="HwContentTopNavigation"> </div><div class="HwContent"><div class="HwNavigationSection HwSectionSpecialSection" id="sec-hw6537"><h2 class="HwSectionTitle" fingerprint="d4032d6d" fingerprint-exact="4fcae40e">Test Overview</h2> <p fingerprint="6c620f37" fingerprint-exact="96824f89">An aldosterone test measures the level of aldosterone (a <a class="HwLinkDefinition" data-hw-type="Definition" data-hw-document-href="sth149942" data-hw-section="sth149942-sec" rel="Definition" hw:document-type="Definition" hw:document-href="sth149942" data-hwid="sth149942" hw:section-href="sth149942-sec" href="?id=sth149942#sth149942-sec"><span class="HwLinkText">hormone</span></a> made by the <a class="HwLinkDefinition" data-hw-type="Definition" data-hw-document-href="sta123135" data-hw-section="sta123135-sec" rel="Definition" hw:document-type="Definition" hw:document-href="sta123135" data-hwid="sta123135" hw:section-href="sta123135-sec" href="?id=sta123135#sta123135-sec"><span class="HwLinkText">adrenal glands</span></a>), in the blood. Aldosterone helps regulate <a class="HwLinkDefinition" data-hw-type="Definition" data-hw-document-href="not238871" data-hw-section="not238871-sec" rel="Definition" hw:document-type="Definition" hw:document-href="not238871" data-hwid="not238871" hw:section-href="not238871-sec" href="?id=not238871#not238871-sec"><span class="HwLinkText">sodium</span></a> and <a class="HwLinkDefinition" data-hw-type="Definition" data-hw-document-href="stp1886" data-hw-section="stp1886-sec" rel="Definition" hw:document-type="Definition" hw:document-href="stp1886" data-hwid="stp1886" hw:section-href="stp1886-sec" href="?id=stp1886#stp1886-sec"><span class="HwLinkText">potassium</span></a> levels in the body. This helps control blood pressure and the balance of fluids and <a class="HwLinkDefinition" data-hw-type="Definition" data-hw-document-href="ste122049" data-hw-section="ste122049-sec" rel="Definition" hw:document-type="Definition" hw:document-href="ste122049" data-hwid="ste122049" hw:section-href="ste122049-sec" href="?id=ste122049#ste122049-sec"><span class="HwLinkText">electrolytes</span></a> in the blood.</p> <p fingerprint="a6bd2177" fingerprint-exact="ab3daa22">The kidney hormone <a class="HwLinkDefinition" data-hw-type="Definition" data-hw-document-href="str2307" data-hw-section="str2307-sec" rel="Definition" hw:document-type="Definition" hw:document-href="str2307" data-hwid="str2307" hw:section-href="str2307-sec" href="?id=str2307#str2307-sec"><span class="HwLinkText">renin</span></a> 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 that makes aldosterone is present, your 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.</p> </div><div class="HwNavigationSection HwSectionSpecialSection" id="sec-hw6541"><h2 class="HwSectionTitle" fingerprint="3d5095ef" fingerprint-exact="55cd7304">Why It Is Done</h2> <p fingerprint="30498f04" fingerprint-exact="2999651b">An aldosterone test is done to:</p> <ul fingerprint="e1927955" fingerprint-exact="7a0172d8"> <li>Measure the amount of aldosterone released into the body by the adrenal glands.</li> <li>Check for a tumor in the adrenal glands.</li> <li>Find the cause of high blood pressure or low blood potassium levels. This is done when overactive adrenal glands or an abnormal adrenal growth are suspected.</li> </ul> </div><div class="HwNavigationSection HwSectionSpecialSection" id="sec-hw6543"><h2 class="HwSectionTitle" fingerprint="026e985e" fingerprint-exact="df1d0bbc">How To Prepare</h2> <p fingerprint="4a19049c" fingerprint-exact="d732042f">An aldosterone test is often done at the time of a routine blood test. You don't need to do anything before having routine blood tests. </p> <p fingerprint="44651bf0" fingerprint-exact="46ec5dc8">If you are having follow-up aldosterone blood tests, your doctor may give you the following instructions: </p> <ul fingerprint="f34c51e1" fingerprint-exact="5542e102"> <li>Eat foods with a normal amount of sodium (2,300 <a class="HwLinkDefinition" data-hw-type="Definition" data-hw-document-href="stm159515" data-hw-section="stm159515-sec" rel="Definition" hw:document-type="Definition" hw:document-href="stm159515" data-hwid="stm159515" hw:section-href="stm159515-sec" href="?id=stm159515#stm159515-sec"><span class="HwLinkText">mg</span></a> per day) for 2 weeks before the test. Do not eat foods that are very salty, such as bacon, canned soups and vegetables, olives, bouillon, soy sauce, and salty snacks like potato chips or pretzels. A low-salt diet can also increase aldosterone levels. Tell your doctor if you are on a low-salt food plan. </li> <li>Do not eat natural black licorice for 2 weeks before this test. </li> </ul> <p fingerprint="0c9eec32" fingerprint-exact="6bb66b95">Many medicines may change the results of this test. Be sure to tell your doctor about all the nonprescription and prescription medicines you take. You may be asked to stop taking some medicines for 2 weeks before the test. These include hormones (such as progesterone and <a class="HwLinkDefinition" data-hw-type="Definition" data-hw-document-href="ste122078" data-hw-section="ste122078-sec" rel="Definition" hw:document-type="Definition" hw:document-href="ste122078" data-hwid="ste122078" hw:section-href="ste122078-sec" href="?id=ste122078#ste122078-sec"><span class="HwLinkText">estrogens</span></a>), <a class="HwLinkDefinition" data-hw-type="Definition" data-hw-document-href="stc123754" data-hw-section="stc123754-sec" rel="Definition" hw:document-type="Definition" hw:document-href="stc123754" data-hwid="stc123754" hw:section-href="stc123754-sec" href="?id=stc123754#stc123754-sec"><span class="HwLinkText">corticosteroids</span></a>, <a class="HwLinkDefinition" data-hw-type="Definition" data-hw-document-href="std120884" data-hw-section="std120884-sec" rel="Definition" hw:document-type="Definition" hw:document-href="std120884" data-hwid="std120884" hw:section-href="std120884-sec" href="?id=std120884#std120884-sec"><span class="HwLinkText">diuretics</span></a>, and many medicines used to treat high blood pressure, especially spironolactone (Aldactone), eplerenone (Inspra), and <a class="HwLinkDefinition" data-hw-type="Definition" data-hw-document-href="te7517" data-hw-section="te7517-sec" rel="Definition" hw:document-type="Definition" hw:document-href="te7517" data-hwid="te7517" hw:section-href="te7517-sec" href="?id=te7517#te7517-sec"><span class="HwLinkText">beta-blockers</span></a>. </p> <p fingerprint="16cdc2e4" fingerprint-exact="fe9345ae">The amount of aldosterone in blood changes depending on whether you are standing up or lying down. If your results show a problem, repeat tests may be done in different positions and under different conditions, such as not eating before the test or eating foods that contain a specific amount of salt. Your doctor may ask you to have your blood drawn at a certain time. That's because aldosterone levels are highest in the early morning. </p> </div><div class="HwNavigationSection HwSectionSpecialSection" id="sec-hw6546"><h2 class="HwSectionTitle" fingerprint="e59ce77f" fingerprint-exact="42dd83e2">How It Is Done</h2> <p fingerprint="5aae0cd8" fingerprint-exact="a27baf64">A health professional uses a needle to take a blood sample, usually from the arm.</p> <h3 class="HwSubSectionTitle" fingerprint="ffd3beac" fingerprint-exact="500b4a26">Watch</h3> <div class="HwOptionalAll"> <div class="hwMediaLinks"> <ul fingerprint="2a924914" fingerprint-exact="939aff65"> <li class="HwOptionalAny"> <a class="HwLinkMultiMedia" data-hw-type="MultiMedia" data-hw-document-href="acj1944" data-hw-section="acj1944-sec" rel="MultiMedia" hw:document-type="MultiMedia" hw:document-href="acj1944" data-hwid="acj1944" hw:section-href="acj1944-sec" hw:link-type="video" href="?id=acj1944#acj1944-sec"><span class="HwLinkText">Learning About Your Blood Test</span><br><img class="HwMediaImage" data-hw-resource-path="media/thumbnails/acj1944_416x312.jpg" hw:resource-path="media/thumbnails/acj1944_416x312.jpg" src="https://ixbapi.healthwise.net/Resource/14.3/en-us/media/thumbnails/acj1944_416x312.jpg" width="416" height="312" alt hw:release-quarter="14.3"></a> </li> <li class="HwOptionalAny"> <a class="HwLinkMultiMedia" data-hw-type="MultiMedia" data-hw-document-href="aci5157" data-hw-section="aci5157-sec" rel="MultiMedia" hw:document-type="MultiMedia" hw:document-href="aci5157" data-hwid="aci5157" hw:section-href="aci5157-sec" hw:link-type="video" href="?id=aci5157#aci5157-sec"><span class="HwLinkText">Learning About Blood Tests for Children</span><br><img class="HwMediaImage" data-hw-resource-path="media/thumbnails/aci5157_416x312.jpg" hw:resource-path="media/thumbnails/aci5157_416x312.jpg" src="https://ixbapi.healthwise.net/Resource/14.3/en-us/media/thumbnails/aci5157_416x312.jpg" width="416" height="312" alt hw:release-quarter="14.3"></a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div><div class="HwNavigationSection HwSectionSpecialSection" id="sec-hw6551"><h2 class="HwSectionTitle" fingerprint="2dd5db50" fingerprint-exact="deba34d5">How It Feels</h2> <p fingerprint="1ac94c75" fingerprint-exact="5d3995d8">When a blood sample is taken, you may feel nothing at all from the needle. Or you might feel a quick sting or pinch.</p> </div><div class="HwNavigationSection HwSectionSpecialSection" id="sec-hw6553"><h2 class="HwSectionTitle" fingerprint="a566bce5" fingerprint-exact="1aacb8d8">Risks</h2> <p fingerprint="f81952f3" fingerprint-exact="73b0e5b4">There is very little chance of having a problem from this test. When a blood sample is taken, a small bruise may form at the site.</p> </div><div class="HwNavigationSection HwSectionSpecialSection" id="sec-hw6557"><h2 class="HwSectionTitle" fingerprint="9413e669" fingerprint-exact="9fa3e414">Results</h2> <p fingerprint="394894bc" fingerprint-exact="f6e0293f">Results are usually available in 2 to 5 days. </p> <h3 class="HwSubSectionTitle" fingerprint="7d152b4d" fingerprint-exact="218568e4">Normal</h3> <p fingerprint="22049f10" fingerprint-exact="465acd27">Each lab has a different range for what's normal. Your lab report should show the range that your lab uses for each test. The normal range is just a guide. Your doctor will also look at your results based on your age, health, and other factors. A value that isn't in the normal range may still be normal for you.</p> <h3 class="HwSubSectionTitle" fingerprint="43ad997f" fingerprint-exact="38685d68">High values</h3> <p fingerprint="ac5225e3" fingerprint-exact="dca74b1a">High aldosterone levels can be caused by: </p> <ul fingerprint="0087d7de" fingerprint-exact="60212204"> <li>A tumor in the adrenal glands (<a class="HwLinkDefinition" data-hw-type="Definition" data-hw-document-href="stc16506" data-hw-section="stc16506-sec" rel="Definition" hw:document-type="Definition" hw:document-href="stc16506" data-hwid="stc16506" hw:section-href="stc16506-sec" href="?id=stc16506#stc16506-sec"><span class="HwLinkText">Conn's syndrome</span></a>). </li> <li>Kidney disease. </li> <li>Liver disease. </li> <li>Heart failure. </li> <li>Dehydration. </li> <li>A condition during pregnancy that causes high blood pressure (<a class="HwLinkDefinition" data-hw-type="Definition" data-hw-document-href="stp1755" data-hw-section="stp1755-sec" rel="Definition" hw:document-type="Definition" hw:document-href="stp1755" data-hwid="stp1755" hw:section-href="stp1755-sec" href="?id=stp1755#stp1755-sec"><span class="HwLinkText">preeclampsia</span></a>). </li> </ul> <p fingerprint="30a10e21" fingerprint-exact="0023732a">An overgrowth of normal cells in the adrenal glands (called adrenal hyperplasia) or a tumor of the adrenal glands affects the adrenal glands directly and causes a condition called primary aldosteronism. Certain diseases, such as <a class="HwLinkDefinition" data-hw-type="Definition" data-hw-document-href="sth123766" data-hw-section="sth123766-sec" rel="Definition" hw:document-type="Definition" hw:document-href="sth123766" data-hwid="sth123766" hw:section-href="sth123766-sec" href="?id=sth123766#sth123766-sec"><span class="HwLinkText">heart failure</span></a>, <a class="HwLinkDefinition" data-hw-type="Definition" data-hw-document-href="stc123718" data-hw-section="stc123718-sec" rel="Definition" hw:document-type="Definition" hw:document-href="stc123718" data-hwid="stc123718" hw:section-href="stc123718-sec" href="?id=stc123718#stc123718-sec"><span class="HwLinkText">cirrhosis</span></a>, and kidney disease, can also cause high aldosterone levels, but this is a normal response by the adrenal glands. These diseases cause secondary aldosteronism. </p> <table class="hw-table-border" fingerprint="e4f463af" fingerprint-exact="b37e2cbf"> <caption>Aldosterone and renin levels</caption> <colgroup> <col> <col> <col> </colgroup> <tbody> <tr> <th class="TableTitle" scope="col"> <p>Condition</p> </th> <th class="TableTitle" scope="col"> <p>Aldosterone</p> </th> <th class="TableTitle" scope="col"> <p>Renin</p> </th> </tr> <tr> <td> <p>Primary hyperaldosteronism (Conn's syndrome)</p> </td> <td> <p>High</p> </td> <td> <p>Low</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p> Secondary hyperaldosteronism </p> </td> <td> <p>High</p> </td> <td> <p>High</p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <h3 class="HwSubSectionTitle" fingerprint="01f76001" fingerprint-exact="f73fd7e9">Low values</h3> <p fingerprint="e544ab13" fingerprint-exact="81e4aad0"> <a class="HwLinkDefinition" data-hw-type="Definition" data-hw-document-href="sta123142" data-hw-section="sta123142-sec" rel="Definition" hw:document-type="Definition" hw:document-href="sta123142" data-hwid="sta123142" hw:section-href="sta123142-sec" href="?id=sta123142#sta123142-sec"><span class="HwLinkText"> Addison's disease</span></a> and some types of kidney disease may cause low aldosterone levels. </p> </div><div class="HwNavigationSection HwSectionRelatedInformation" id="sec-hw6534-RelInfo"><h2 class="HwSectionTitle" fingerprint="d5f858e0" fingerprint-exact="c0ffe04b">Related Information</h2><ul fingerprint="84fa2609" fingerprint-exact="ec8cccf3"><li class="HwOptionalAny"><a data-hw-type="Focus" data-hw-document-href="zm2257" data-hw-section="zm2257-sec" hw:document-type="Focus" hw:document-href="zm2257" data-hwid="zm2257" hw:section-href="zm2257-sec" href="?id=zm2257#zm2257-sec">Medical Tests: Questions to Ask the Doctor</a></li></ul></div><div class="HwNavigationSection HwCreditsSection HwSectionCredits" id="sec-hw6534-Credits"><h2 class="HwSectionTitle">Credits</h2><div class="HwContentInformation"><div class="HwLastUpdated"><p><span 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