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TEST ID ALDS Aldosterone, Serum

Reporting Name

Aldosterone, S

Specimen Type

Serum


Ordering Guidance


Advice on stimulation or suppression tests is available from Mayo Clinic's Division of Endocrinology; call 800-533-1710.



Specimen Required


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

Supplies: Sarstedt Aliquot Tube 5 mL (T914)

Collection Container/Tube:

Preferred: Red top

Acceptable: Serum gel

Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial

Specimen Volume: 1.2 mL Serum

Collection Instructions:

1. See Renin-Aldosterone Studies for detailed instructions.

2. The recommended collection time is 8 a.m., after the patient is active for approximately 2 hours. Try to collect the specimen as close to that time as possible and no later than 10 a.m.

3. Centrifuge and aliquot serum into a plastic vial.


Specimen Minimum Volume

Serum: 1.2 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Serum Refrigerated (preferred) 28 days
  Frozen  30 days
  Ambient  4 days

Testing Algorithm

For more information see Steroid Pathways

Method Name

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

Reject Due To

Gross hemolysis OK
Gross lipemia OK
Gross icterus OK

Reference Values

0-30 days: 17-154 ng/dL*

31 days-11 months: 6.5-86 ng/dL*

1-10 years:

≤40 ng/dL (supine)*

≤124 ng/dL (upright)*

≥11 years: ≤21 ng/dL (a.m. peripheral vein specimen)

 

*Loeuille GA, Racadot A, Vasseur P, Vandewalle B: Blood and urinary aldosterone levels in normal neonates, infants and children. Pediatrie 1981 Jul-Aug;36(5):335-344

 

For International System of Units (SI) conversion for Reference Values, see www.mayocliniclabs.com/order-tests/si-unit-conversion.html

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Friday

Report Available

2 to 5 days

Specimen Retention Time

14 days

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

CPT Code Information

82088

Forms

If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send 1 of the following forms with the specimen:

-General Request (T239)

-Cardiovascular Test Request (T724)

Useful For

Investigation of primary aldosteronism (eg, adrenal adenoma/carcinoma and adrenal cortical hyperplasia) and secondary aldosteronism (renovascular disease, salt depletion, potassium loading, cardiac failure with ascites, pregnancy, Bartter syndrome) using serum specimens

Clinical Information

Aldosterone stimulates sodium transport across cell membranes, particularly in the distal renal tubule where sodium is exchanged for hydrogen and potassium. Secondarily, aldosterone is important in the maintenance of blood pressure and blood volume.

 

Aldosterone is the major mineralocorticoid and is produced by the adrenal cortex.

 

The renin-angiotensin system is the primary regulator of the synthesis and secretion of aldosterone. Likewise, increased concentrations of potassium in the plasma may directly stimulate adrenal production of the hormone. Under physiologic conditions, pituitary adrenocorticotropic hormone is not a major factor in regulating aldosterone secretion.

 

For more information see Steroid Pathways