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Lab Dept:
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Chemistry
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Test Name:
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ALDOSTERONE
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General Information
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Lab Order Codes:
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BALD
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Synonyms:
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Aldosterone, Blood
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CPT Codes:
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82088 - Aldosterone
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Test Includes:
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N/A
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Logistics
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Test Indications:
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The principal use for aldosterone measurements is in the diagnosis of primary hyperaldosteronism, which is most commonly caused by a specific type of adrenal adenoma.
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Lab Testing Sections:
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Chemistry - Sendouts
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Referred to:
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Esoterix Inc. (Test# 500014)
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Phone Numbers:
Minneapolis:
Saint Paul:
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612-813-6280
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651-220-6550
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Test Availability:
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Daily, 24 hours
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Turnaround Time:
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3 - 6 days, test is performed Monday and Thursday
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Special Instructions:
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A random measurement of aldosterone is of no diagnostic utility unless plasma renin activity is determined simultaneously.
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Specimen
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Specimen Type:
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Whole blood
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Container:
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Red top (plain, no gel) tube
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Draw Volume:
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3.0 mL (Minimum:1.5 mL, does not allow for repeat analysis) blood
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Processed Volume:
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1.0 mL (Minimum: 0.5 mL) serum
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Collection:
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Routine venipuncture
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Special Processing:
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Lab Staff: Centrifuge specimen within 1 hour of collection, remove serum aliquot. Store and ship frozen in plastic vial. Forward promptly.
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Patient Preparation:
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No recent radioactive scans or other radioactivity. Diuretics, antihypertensive drugs, cyclic progestogens, estrogens, and licorice should be terminated 2-4 weeks before testing. Patient should be on a normal sodium diet for 2-4 weeks (135 mmol or 3 g sodium/day). Supine sample should be drawn early, before the inpatient arises. If an upright sample is indicated, patient should have been sitting up for 2 hours or more. Replacement of potassium deficit is recommended before samples for aldosterone are taken.
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Sample Rejection:
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N/A
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Interpretive
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Reference Range
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Premature Infants:
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26 - 28 weeks, day 4:
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5 - 635 ng/dL (supine)
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31 - 35 weeks, day 4:
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19 - 141 ng/dL (supine)
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Full-Term Infants:
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3 days:
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7 - 184 ng/dL (supine)
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1 week:
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5 - 175 ng/dL (supine)
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1 - 12 months:
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5 - 90 ng/dL (supine)
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Children:
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1 - 2 years:
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7 - 54 ng/dL (supine)
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2 - 10 years:
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supine:
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3 - 35 ng/dL
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upright:
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5 - 80 ng/dL
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10 - 15 years:
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supine:
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2 - 22 ng/dL
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upright:
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4 - 48 ng/dL
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Adults:
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supine:
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3 - 16 ng/dL
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upright:
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7 - 30 ng/dL
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Note: Values are based on early morning specimens from subjects on ad lib sodium intake. Diurnal variations and values in pediatric patients on different sodium diets are currently unavailable.
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Critical Values:
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Ratio of plasma aldosterone to renin activity >50 is significant.
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Limitations:
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Decreased perfusion of the kidneys leads to increased aldosterone and renin. Aldosterone may be falsely elevated in chronic renal failure when assayed by direct RIA.
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Methodology:
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RIA after selective solvent extraction
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Contraindications:
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Hypokalemia caused by thiazide diuretics can resemble primary aldosteronism.
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References:
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Esoterix Web Page www.esoterix.com
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Esoterix, Inc. "Expected Value & S.I. Unit Conversion Table" Fifth Edition
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