Aldosterone in Urine

Results

An aldosterone test measures the level of aldosterone (a hormone made by the adrenal glands) in the urine.

Aldosterone in a 24-hour urine sample

Normal:	6–72 nanomoles (nmol) or 2–26 micrograms (mcg)

High values

High aldosterone levels can be caused by:

• A tumour in the adrenal glands (Conn's syndrome).
• Heart failure.
• Kidney disease.
• Liver disease.
• A condition during pregnancy that causes high blood pressure (pre-eclampsia).
• Some medicines that are used treat high blood pressure.

Symptoms of a high aldosterone include high blood pressure, muscle cramps and weakness, numbness or tingling in the hands, and low levels of potassium in the blood.

Low values

Low aldosterone levels can be caused by:

• Addison's disease.
• Kidney disease. such as the types of kidney disease seen in people who also have diabetes.
• Heparin treatment.

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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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