Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota
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Lab Dept:

Chemistry

Test Name:

ALDOSTERONE

General Information

Lab Order Codes:

BALD

Synonyms:

Aldosterone, Blood

CPT Codes:

82088 - Aldosterone

Test Includes:

N/A

Logistics

Test Indications:

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.

Lab Testing Sections:

Chemistry - Sendouts

Referred to:

Esoterix Inc. (Test# 500014)

Phone Numbers:

Minneapolis:

Saint Paul:

 

612-813-6280

651-220-6550

Test Availability:

Daily, 24 hours

Turnaround Time:

3 - 6 days, test is performed Monday and Thursday

Special Instructions:

A random measurement of aldosterone is of no diagnostic utility unless plasma renin activity is determined simultaneously.

Specimen

Specimen Type:

Whole blood

Container:

Red top (plain, no gel) tube

Draw Volume:

3.0 mL (Minimum:1.5 mL, does not allow for repeat analysis) blood

Processed Volume:

1.0 mL (Minimum: 0.5 mL) serum

Collection:

Routine venipuncture

Special Processing:

Lab Staff: Centrifuge specimen within 1 hour of collection, remove serum aliquot. Store and ship frozen in plastic vial. Forward promptly.

Patient Preparation:

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.

Sample Rejection:

N/A

Interpretive

Reference Range

Premature Infants:

26 - 28 weeks, day 4:

5 - 635 ng/dL (supine)

31 - 35 weeks, day 4:

19 - 141 ng/dL (supine)

Full-Term Infants:

3 days:

7 - 184 ng/dL (supine)

1 week:

5 - 175 ng/dL (supine)

1 - 12 months:

5 - 90 ng/dL (supine)

Children:

1 - 2 years:

7 - 54 ng/dL (supine)

2 - 10 years:

supine:

3 - 35 ng/dL

upright:

5 - 80 ng/dL

10 - 15 years:

supine:

2 - 22 ng/dL

upright:

4 - 48 ng/dL

Adults:

supine:

3 - 16 ng/dL

upright:

7 - 30 ng/dL

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.

Critical Values:

Ratio of plasma aldosterone to renin activity >50 is significant.

Limitations:

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.

Methodology:

RIA after selective solvent extraction

Contraindications:

Hypokalemia caused by thiazide diuretics can resemble primary aldosteronism.

References:

Esoterix Web Page www.esoterix.com

Esoterix, Inc. "Expected Value & S.I. Unit Conversion Table" Fifth Edition