Aldosterone

General

Synonym/Acronym:
N/A

Rationale
To assist in the evaluation of hypertension and diagnosis of primary hyperaldosteronism disorders such as Conn syndrome and Addison disease.

Patient Preparation
There are no fluid restrictions unless by medical direction. The required position, supine/lying down or upright/sitting up, must be maintained for 2 hr before specimen collection. The patient may be prescribed a normal-sodium diet (1 to 2 g of sodium per day) 2 to 4 wk before the test. Under medical direction, the patient should avoid diuretics, antihypertensive drugs and herbals, and cyclic progestogens and estrogens for 2 to 4 wk before the test. The patient should also be advised to avoid consuming any products derived from or that contain licorice root for 2 wk before the test. Protocols may vary among facilities.

Normal Findings
Method: Chemiluminescent Immunoassay.

AgeConventional UnitsSI Units (Conventional Units × 0.0277)
Newborn5–102 ng/dL0.14–2.82 nmol/L
1–3 wks6–180 ng/dL0.17–5 nmol/L
1 mo–2 yr7–99 ng/dL0.19–2.7 nmol/L
3–14 yr4–30 ng/dL0.11–0.83 nmol/L
15 yr–adult31 ng/dL or less0.86 nmol/L or less
  Supine3–16 ng/dL0.08–0.44 nmol/L
  Upright (sitting for at least 2 hr)4–30 ng/dL0.11–0.83 nmol/L
Older adultLevels decline with age
These values reflect a normal sodium diet. Values for a low-sodium diet are three to five times higher. Blood levels fluctuate with dehydration and fluid overload.

Critical Findings and Potential Interventions
N/A

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