Aldosterone Test
Reviewed
An aldosterone test measures the amount of aldosterone (ALD) in your blood or urine. ALD is a hormone made by your adrenal glands that helps keep your blood pressure stable by balancing sodium and potassium levels. This test is often combined with a renin test (aldosterone-renin ratio) to help diagnose adrenal gland disorders or find causes of abnormal blood pressure or electrolyte levels.
Preparation and collection
Follow your provider's instructions. You may need to stop certain medicines and limit salt intake for about two weeks before the test. Do not eat natural black licorice for at least two weeks before the test.
Understanding this test
Use the reference interval and units printed by the laboratory that performed the test. A result outside that interval is not a diagnosis by itself, and a result inside it does not rule out every condition. Your symptoms, history, medicines, timing, and related tests can change what the result means.
- Results must be interpreted together with other tests (e.g., renin, electrolytes).
- Levels change with posture (lying vs. standing).
- Certain medicines, salt intake, and natural black licorice can affect results.
What to do next
Your provider will consider your aldosterone levels along with other test results to determine what your results mean for your health.