Aldosterone in Urine
Guide
What Affects the Test
Reasons you may not be able to have the test or why the results may not be helpful include:
- Eating large amounts of natural black licorice.
- Pregnancy. Aldosterone levels may be high in the third trimester of pregnancy.
- Taking medicines, such as female hormones (progesterone and estrogen), corticosteroids, heparin, opiates, laxatives, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or diuretics. Most medicines used to treat high blood pressure, especially spironolactone (Aldactone), eplerenone (Inspra), and beta-blockers, increase blood levels of aldosterone and renin.
- Exercising hard or being under emotional stress.
- Your age. Aldosterone levels normally decrease with age.
What To Think About
- The kidney hormone renin normally controls how much aldosterone is released by the adrenal glands. Usually a renin activity test is done when the aldosterone level is measured. To learn more, see the topic Renin.
- Aldosterone is more commonly measured in a blood test. To learn more, see the topic Aldosterone in Blood.
- If you have overactive adrenal glands or an abnormal adrenal growth, potassium levels may also be tested. To learn more, see the topic Potassium (K) in Blood.
Citations
Pagana KD, Pagana TJ (2010). Mosby’s Manual of Diagnostic and Laboratory Tests, 4th ed. St. Louis: Mosby Elsevier.
Other Works Consulted
American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (2006). Medical guidelines for clinical practice for the diagnosis and treatment of hypertension. Endocrine Practice, 12(2): 195-222.
Pagana KD, Pagana TJ (2010). Mosby’s Manual of Diagnostic and Laboratory Tests, 4th ed. St. Louis: Mosby Elsevier.
ByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical ReviewerE. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical ReviewerAlan C. Dalkin, MD - Endocrinology