If you are having follow-up aldosterone blood tests, your doctor may give you the following instructions:. 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 2 weeks before the test. These include hormones such as progesterone and estrogens , corticosteroids , diuretics , and many medicines used to treat high blood pressure, especially spironolactone Aldactone , eplerenone Inspra , and beta-blockers. The amount of aldosterone in blood changes depending on whether you are standing up or lying down.
If your results show a problem, repeat tests may be done in different positions and under different conditions, such as not eating before the test or eating foods that contain a specific amount of salt. Your doctor may ask you to have your blood drawn at a certain time.
That's because aldosterone levels are highest in the early morning. A health professional uses a needle to take a blood sample, usually from the arm. When a blood sample is taken, you may feel nothing at all from the needle. Or you might feel a quick sting or pinch. There is very little chance of having a problem from this test. When a blood sample is taken, a small bruise may form at the site.
Results are usually available in 2 to 5 days. Each lab has a different range for what's normal. Your lab report should show the range that your lab uses for each test. Accessed Sept. Ferri FF. Aldosteronism hyperaldosteronism, primary. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor Feehally J, et al. Endocrine causes of hypertension — Aldosteronism.
In: Comprehensive Clinical Nephrology. Funder JW, et al. The management of primary aldosteronism: Case detection, diagnosis, and treatment: An Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. Lee FT, et al.
Evaluation and management of primary hyperaldosteronism. Surgical Clinics of North America. Aldosterone is part of a group of linked hormones, which form the renin— angiotensin —aldosterone system.
Activation of this system occurs when there is decrease in blood flow to the kidneys following loss of blood volume or a drop in blood pressure e.
Renin is an enzyme that leads to a series of chemical reactions resulting in the production of angiotensin II , which in turn stimulate aldosterone release.
Aldosterone causes an increase in salt and water reabsorption into the bloodstream from the kidney thereby increasing the blood volume, restoring salt levels and blood pressure. The symptoms include high blood pressure, low blood levels of potassium and an abnormal increase in blood volume. Low aldosterone levels are found in a rare condition called Addison's disease. In Addison's disease, there is a general loss of adrenal function resulting in low blood pressure, lethargy and an increase in potassium levels in the blood see the article on Addison's disease for further information.
High levels of aldosterone can cause a variety of health problems. Research shows it can cause direct injury to heart tissues, leading to scarring and enlargement of the left side of the heart. In addition to injuring blood vessels and causing other complications related to high blood pressure, untreated hyperaldosteronism can put you at greater risk for:. To avoid complications, work with your doctor to come up with a long-term treatment plan for your high blood pressure.
Make sure to regularly follow up to check for any changes in your blood potassium levels as well. While the effects of hyperaldosteronism can lead to complications over time, the condition itself can be managed with the right treatments. For many people, the best plans involve a combination of surgery, medication, and lifestyle changes.
Acid reflux happens when your stomach contents rise into your esophagus. Learn which foods you should avoid to prevent reflux. An ALD test measures the amount of the hormone aldosterone your blood. Too much aldosterone can be an indicator of a variety of medical conditions. Hormones like estrogen and testosterone are crucial to your heath, and a hormonal imbalance can cause symptoms like acne and weight gain. Learn more. You may be able to reduce symptoms of adrenal fatigue by changing your diet.
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