Lab Dept:

Chemistry

Test Name:

ALDOSTERONE

General Information

Lab Order Codes:

BALD

Synonyms:

Aldosterone, Blood

CPT Codes:

82088 - Aldosterone

Test Includes:

Aldosterone level reported in ng/dL.

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, Tuesday and Thursday

Special Instructions:

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

Specimen

Specimen Type:

Blood

Container:

Red top (plain, no gel) tube

Draw Volume:

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

Processed Volume:

1 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:

None

Sample Rejection:

Mislabeled or unlabeled specimens

Interpretive

Reference Range

Premature Infants:

26 - 28 weeks, day 4:

5 - 635 ng/dL

31 - 35 weeks, day 4:

19 - 141 ng/dL

Full-Term Infants:

3 days:

7 - 184 ng/dL

1 week:

5 - 175 ng/dL

1 - 11 months:

5 - 90 ng/dL

Children:

12 - 23 months:

7 - 54 ng/dL

24 months - 9 years:

5 - 80 ng/dL

10 - 14 years:

4 - 48 ng/dL

Adults:

Adults:

<31 ng/dL

Critical Values:

N/A

Limitations:

N/A

Methodology:

HPLC, Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Contraindications:

Hypokalemia caused by thiazide diuretics can resemble primary aldosteronism.

References:

Esoterix Laboratory Services www.esoterix.com December 2010

Updates:

12/14/2010: Reference range update. Suppine references removed. Method change, previously listed as RIA.