Aldosterone test

 An aldosterone test is a type of blood test that measures the level of aldosterone in your blood. Aldosterone is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands that help regulate the balance of salt and water in your body. It does this by controlling the amount of sodium and potassium in your urine.

A healthcare provider may order an aldosterone test to help diagnose and monitor conditions that affect the adrenal glands, such as:

• Addison's disease: a condition in which the adrenal glands do not produce enough hormones
• Conn's syndrome: a condition in which the body produces too much aldosterone
• Hypoaldosteronism: a condition in which the body does not produce enough aldosterone

To perform the test, a healthcare provider will take a sample of your blood, usually from a vein in your arm. The sample is then sent to a laboratory, where it is analyzed to determine the level of aldosterone in your blood.

Normal aldosterone levels in the blood vary but are generally between 2 and 18 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL). Abnormal levels may indicate a problem with the adrenal glands or other organs. Your healthcare provider will interpret the results of the test and discuss any necessary treatment or follow-up with you.

Uses:

An aldosterone test is used to help diagnose and monitor conditions that affect the adrenal glands, such as:

1. Addison's disease: a condition in which the adrenal glands do not produce enough hormones
2. Conn's syndrome: a condition in which the body produces too much aldosterone
3. Hypoaldosteronism: a condition in which the body does not produce enough aldosterone

An aldosterone test may also be ordered to help evaluate the cause of high blood pressure, particularly if the blood pressure is not well-controlled with medications. In some cases, high blood pressure may be caused by an imbalance of aldosterone in the body.

In addition, an aldosterone test may be used to monitor the effectiveness of treatment for conditions that affect the adrenal glands, such as Addison's disease or Conn's syndrome.

It is important to note that an aldosterone test is just one tool that healthcare providers use to diagnose and manage conditions that affect the adrenal glands. Other tests and assessments may also be needed to accurately diagnose and treat these conditions.