Aldosterone

This test may be ordered to help determine a cause of high blood pressure, especially if a person is not responding to blood pressure medication or has low potassium levels.

Conn's Syndrome, or primary hyperaldosteronism, may occur when your body makes too much aldosterone. This may lead to low potassium levels and high blood pressure.

If your body does not make enough cortisol or aldosterone, you may experience low blood pressure, high potassium levels and exhaustion. This is known as Addison's Disease.

Prior to taking this test you should be taken off medications ( please follow guidelines from your physician if you are taking any medications). for at least three weeks prior to sample collection. Dietary sodium levels during the period prior to testing can affect aldosterone levels. Reference intervals are based on the clinician's verification that the patient has been on a normal sodium diet.

Since patient posture prior to collection affects aldosterone levels, it is recommended that the patient be ambulatory for at least 30 minutes before blood collection. If inpatients are physically able, they should be asked to ambulate for 30 minutes before blood is drawn for aldosterone. Reference intervals are provided for patients who have ambulated for at least 30 minutes prior to collection (standing patients)

Reviewed By: Dr. Kurt Kloss, MD
Last Reviewed Date: Oct 16, 2019