Aldosterone in Urine
Test OverviewAn aldosterone test measures the level of
aldosterone (a
hormone made by the
adrenal glands) in the urine. Aldosterone helps
regulate
sodium and
potassium levels in the body. This helps control blood
pressure and the balance of fluids and
electrolytes in the blood. The kidney
hormone
renin 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. Why It Is DoneAn aldosterone test is done to: - Measure the amount of aldosterone released into
the body by the adrenal glands.
- Check for a tumor in the adrenal
glands.
- Find the cause of high blood pressure or low potassium
levels. This is done when overactive adrenal glands or an abnormal adrenal
growth are suspected.
How To PrepareEat foods with a normal amount of
sodium (2,300
mg per day) for at least 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. Do not eat natural black licorice for at
least 2 weeks before an aldosterone test. 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 about 2 weeks before the
test. These include hormones (such as progesterone and
estrogen),
corticosteroids,
diuretics, and many medicines used to treat high blood
pressure, especially spironolactone (Aldactone) and eplerenone (Inspra). Talk to your doctor about any concerns you have regarding the need for
the test, its risks, how it will be done, or what the results will mean. To
help you understand the importance of this test, fill out the
medical test information form(What is a PDF document?). How It Is Done- You start collecting your urine in the morning.
When you first get up, empty your bladder but do not save this urine. Write
down the time that you urinated to mark the beginning of your 24-hour
collection period.
- For the next 24 hours, collect all your urine.
Your doctor or lab will usually provide you with a large container that holds
about 1 gal (4 L). The
container has a small amount of preservative in it. Urinate into a small, clean
container, and then pour the urine into the large container. Do not touch the
inside of the container with your fingers.
- Keep the large container
in the refrigerator for the 24 hours.
- Empty your bladder for the
final time at or just before the end of the 24-hour period. Add this urine to
the large container and record the time.
- Do not get toilet paper,
pubic hair, stool (feces), menstrual blood, or other foreign matter in the
urine sample.
How It FeelsThere is no pain while collecting a
24-hour urine sample. RisksThere is no chance for problems while collecting
a 24-hour urine sample. Results An aldosterone test measures the level
of aldosterone (a
hormone made by the
adrenal glands) in the urine. The normal values listed here-called a reference range-are just a guide. These ranges vary from lab to lab, and your lab may have a different range for what's normal. Your lab report should contain the range your lab uses. Also, your doctor will evaluate your results based on your health and other factors. This means that a value that falls outside the normal values listed here may still be normal for you or your lab. High valuesHigh
aldosterone levels can be caused by: - A tumor in the adrenal glands (Conn's syndrome).
- Heart
failure.
- Kidney disease.
- Liver disease.
- A
condition during pregnancy that causes high blood pressure (preeclampsia).
- Some medicines that are
used treat high blood pressure.
Symptoms of high aldosterone include
high blood pressure, muscle cramps and weakness,
numbness or tingling in the hands, and low levels of potassium in the
blood. Low valuesLow
aldosterone levels can be caused by: - Addison's disease.
- Kidney disease, such as the types of kidney disease
seen in people who also have diabetes.
- Heparin treatment. Heparin is a medicine that helps prevent blood clots. It is given as a shot.
What Affects the TestReasons you may not be able to
have the test or why the results may not be helpful include: - Eating large amounts of natural black
licorice.
- Pregnancy. Aldosterone levels may be high in the third
trimester of pregnancy.
- Taking medicines,
such as female hormones (progesterone and
estrogen),
corticosteroids, heparin,
opioids, laxatives, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs (NSAIDs), or
diuretics. Most medicines used to treat high blood
pressure, especially spironolactone (Aldactone), eplerenone (Inspra), and
beta-blockers, increase blood levels of aldosterone
and renin.
- Exercising hard or being under emotional stress.
- Your
age. Aldosterone levels normally decrease with age.
What To Think About- The kidney hormone
renin normally controls how much aldosterone is
released by the adrenal glands. Usually a renin activity test is done when the
aldosterone level is measured. To learn more, see the topic
Renin.
- Aldosterone is more commonly measured in
a blood test. To learn more, see the topic
Aldosterone in Blood.
- If you have
overactive adrenal glands or an abnormal adrenal growth, potassium levels may
also be tested. To learn more, see the topic
Potassium (K) in Blood.
ReferencesCitations- Pagana KD, Pagana TJ (2010). Mosby's Manual of Diagnostic and Laboratory Tests, 4th ed. St. Louis: Mosby Elsevier.
Other Works Consulted- American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (2006). Medical guidelines for clinical practice for the diagnosis and treatment of hypertension. Endocrine Practice, 12(2): 195-222.
- Pagana KD, Pagana TJ (2010). Mosby's Manual of Diagnostic and Laboratory Tests, 4th ed. St. Louis: Mosby Elsevier.
CreditsByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical ReviewerE. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical ReviewerAlan C. Dalkin, MD - Endocrinology Current as of:
May 3, 2017 Pagana KD, Pagana TJ (2010). Mosby's Manual of Diagnostic and Laboratory Tests, 4th ed. St. Louis: Mosby Elsevier. Last modified on: 8 September 2017
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