24-hour urinary aldosterone excretion test
Aldosterone - urine; Addison disease - urine aldosterone; Cirrhosis - serum aldosteroneThe 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.
Collect your urine over 24 hours
The urine 24-hour volume test measures the amount of urine produced in a day. The amounts of creatinine, protein, and other chemicals released into ...
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 provider.
Be aware that other factors can affect aldosterone measurements, including:
- Pregnancy
- High- or low-sodium diet
- High- or low-potassium diet
- Eating large amounts of black licorice
- 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, water, and potassium balance.
Adrenal gland
The adrenal glands are two small triangle-shaped glands in the upper abdomen. One gland is located on top of each kidney.
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 provider about the meaning of your specific test results.
What Abnormal Results Mean
A higher than normal level of aldosterone may be due to:
-
Bartter syndrome (group of rare conditions that affect the kidneys)
Bartter syndrome
Bartter syndrome is a group of rare conditions that affect the kidneys.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Adrenal glands release too much aldosterone hormone (primary hyperaldosteronism) usually due to a benign nodule in the adrenal gland)
Primary hyperaldosteronism
Hyperaldosteronism is a disorder in which the adrenal gland releases too much of the hormone aldosterone into the blood. Hyperaldosteronism can be pr...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Very low-sodium diet
- Taking blood pressure medicines called mineralocorticoid antagonists
- Abuse of diuretics
- Liver cirrhosis
Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis is scarring of the liver and poor liver function. It is the last stage of chronic liver disease.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article -
Heart failure
Heart failure
Heart failure is a condition in which the heart is no longer able to pump oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body efficiently. This causes symptom...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Laxative abuse
Lower than normal levels may indicate Addison disease, a disorder in which the adrenal glands do not produce enough hormones.
Addison disease
Addison disease is a disorder that causes the adrenal glands to not produce enough hormones.
Risks
There are no risks with this test.
References
Guber HA, Oprea M, Russell YX. Evaluation of endocrine function. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 25.
Weiner ID, Wingo CS. Endocrine causes of hypertension: aldosterone. In: Johnson RJ, Floege J, Tonelli M, eds. Comprehensive Clinical Nephrology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 39.
Review Date: 7/30/2023
Reviewed By: Sandeep K. Dhaliwal, MD, board-certified in Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, Springfield, VA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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