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24-hour urinary aldosterone excretion test
Aldosterone - urine
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 blood test .
Blood test
The aldosterone blood test measures the level of the hormone aldosterone in blood. Aldosterone can also be measured using a urine test.
How the Test is Performed
A 24-hour urine sample is needed. You will need to collect your urine over 24 hours . Your health care provider will tell you how to do this. Follow instructions exactly. This ensures accurate results.
Collect your urine over 24 hours
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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 doctor.
Be aware that other factors can affect aldosterone measurements, including:
- Pregnancy
- High- or low-sodium diet
- 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 adrenal gland that helps the kidney control salt and potassium balance.
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 ("water pills")
-
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Lower than normal levels may indicate Addison disease .
Addison disease
Addison disease is a disorder that occurs when the adrenal glands do not produce enough hormones.
Risks
There are no risks with this test.
References
Gruber HA, Farag AF. Evaluation of endocrine function. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods . 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2011:chap 24.
Review Date: 7/24/2015
Reviewed By: Brent Wisse, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology & Nutrition, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
