Aldosterone in Urine

How To Prepare

Eat foods with a normal amount of sodium (3 grams per day) for at least 2 weeks before the test. Do not eat foods that are very salty, such as bacon, canned soups and vegetables, olives, bouillon, soy sauce, and salty snacks like potato chips or pretzels. A low-salt diet can also increase aldosterone levels. Tell your doctor if you are on a low-salt food plan.

Do not eat natural black licorice for at least 2 weeks before an aldosterone test.

Many medicines may change the results of this test. Be sure to tell your doctor about all the non-prescription and prescription medicines you take. You may be asked to stop taking some medicines for about 2 weeks before the test. These include hormones (such as progesterone and estrogen), corticosteroids, diuretics, and many medicines used to treat high blood pressure, especially spironolactone (Aldactone).

Talk to your doctor about any concerns you have regarding the need for the test, its risks, how it will be done, or what the results will mean. To help you understand the importance of this test, fill out the medical test information form(What is a PDF document?).

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Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC	Last Updated: November 30, 2006
Medical Review:	Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine Hanan Bassyouni, MD - Endocrinology and Metabolism Alan C. Dalkin, MD - Endocrinology
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