An aldosterone test measures the amount of the hormone aldosterone in blood.
A blood sample is needed. For information on how this is done, see: Venipuncture
Your doctor may tell you how much salt you can eat before the test.
When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.
This test is performed for:
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.
Often, blood aldosterone levels are combined with other tests to diagnose over- or under-production of the hormone. These tests may include:
Normal levels vary:
Normal values vary from lab to lab. Talk to your doctor about your specific test results.
Higher than normal levels of aldosterone may indicate:
Lower than normal levels of aldosterone may indicate:
Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.
Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include:
Factors that can affect aldosterone measurements include:
Many medications can influence aldosterone levels, including:
Nieman LK. Adrenal cortex. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 245.
Young WF Jr. Endocrine hypertension. In: Melmed S, Polonsky KS, Larsen PR, Kronenberg HM, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 12th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2011:chap 16.
Updated by: Nancy J. Rennert, MD, Chief of Endocrinology & Diabetes, Norwalk Hospital, Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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