Laboratory Services

Aldosterone, Serum

Print this page

Updated Test Information:

Test Description
Aldosterone, Serum
Test ID
ALDS
General Information

Useful for:



  • Investigation of primary aldosteronism

    • Adrenal adenoma/carcinoma

    • Adrenal cortical hyperplasia)





  • Investigation of secondary aldosteronism

    • Renovascular disease

    • Salt depletion

    • Potassium loading

    • Cardiac failure with ascites

    • Pregnancy

    • Bartter syndrome



Specimen Type

Serum

Specimen Requirements

  • Preferred: Red top tube

  • Acceptable: Serum Gel

Specimen Collection / Processing Instructions

  • 8 a.m. draw time (after the patient is active for 2 hours) is recommended

  • Collection no later than 10 a.m. is preferred

Minimum Sample Volume

1.2 mL

Stability

  • Refrigerated (preferred): 28 days

  • Frozen: 30 days

  • Ambient: 4 days

Limitations

  • The plasma renin activity (PRA) cannot be interpreted if the patient is being treated with spironolactone (Aldactone). Spironolactone should be discontinued for 4 to 6 weeks before testing.

  • Late p.m. levels can be up to 30% lower than early a.m. levels. Supine values are on average 50% lower than upright collections. Sodium deplete subjects have significantly elevated serum aldosterone (SA) levels, potentially exceeding the upper limit of the salt replete upright reference range by several fold. To account for these variables, at least in part, it is recommended that PRA is measured concomitantly. In situations of physiological variability, PRA should be altered in the same direction as aldosterone. See Renin-Aldosterone Studies in Special Instructions.

  • Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors have the potential to falsely elevate PRA. Therefore, in a patient treated with an ACE inhibitor, the findings of a detectable PRA level or a low SA/PRA ratio do not exclude the diagnosis of primary aldosteronism. In addition, a strong predictor for primary aldosteronism is a PRA level undetectably low in a patient taking an ACE inhibitor.

Methodology

Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)

Estimated TAT

2-5 days

Testing Schedule

Monday-Friday

Retention

14 days

CPT Code(s)

82088

Reference Range
Age Range (ng/dL) Condition
0 - 30 days 17 - 154  
31 days - 11 months 6.5 - 86  
12 months - 10 years ≤ 40 Supine*
12 months - 10 years ≤ 124 Upright*
≥ 11 years ≤ 21 a.m. peripheral venous specimen

 

*Loeuille GA, Racadot A, Vasseur P, Vandewalle B: Blood and urinary aldosterone levels in normal neonates, infants and children. Pediatrie 1981;36:335-344

Performing Lab

Mayo Clinic

LOINC Code(s)

1763-2

Additional Information