24-hour urinary aldosterone excretion test
Definition
The 24-hour urinary aldosterone excretion test measures the amount of aldosterone removed in the urine in a day.
Aldosterone can also be measured with a
Alternative Names
Aldosterone - urine; Addison disease - urine aldosterone; Cirrhosis - serum aldosterone
How the Test is Performed
A 24-hour urine sample is needed. You will need to
How to Prepare for the Test
Your provider may ask you to stop taking certain medicines a few days before the test so that they don't affect the test results. Be sure to tell your provider about all the medicines you take. These include:
- High blood pressure medicines
- Heart medicines
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Antacid and ulcer medicines
- Water pills (diuretics)
Do not stop taking any medicine before talking to your provider.
Be aware that other factors can affect aldosterone measurements, including:
- Pregnancy
- High- or low-sodium diet
- Eating large amounts of black licorice
- Strenuous exercise
- Stress
Do not drink coffee, tea, or cola during the day the urine is collected. Your provider will likely recommend that you eat no more than 3 grams of salt (sodium) per day for at least 2 weeks before the test.
How the Test will Feel
The test involves only normal urination. There is no discomfort.
Why the Test is Performed
The test is done to see how much aldosterone is released into your urine. Aldosterone is a hormone released by the
Normal Results
Results depend on:
- How much sodium is in your diet
- Whether your kidneys work properly
- The condition being diagnosed
Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or test different samples. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.
What Abnormal Results Mean
A higher than normal level of aldosterone may be due to:
- Abuse of diuretics
- Liver
cirrhosis - Adrenal gland problems, including adrenal tumors that produce aldosterone
Heart failure - Laxative abuse
Lower than normal levels may indicate
Risks
There are no risks with this test.
References
Guber HA, Farag AF. Evaluation of endocrine function. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 23rd ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2017:chap 24.
Weiner ID, Wingo CS. Endocrine causes of hypertension: aldosterone. In: Feehally J, Floege J, Tonelli M, Johnson RJ, eds. Comprehensive Clinical Nephrology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 38.
Review Date: 07/16/2019
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