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Test Code ALDU Aldosterone, 24 Hour, Urine

Reporting Name

Aldosterone, U

Useful For

Investigating primary aldosteronism (eg, adrenal adenoma/carcinoma and adrenal cortical hyperplasia) and secondary aldosteronism (renovascular disease, salt depletion, potassium loading, cardiac failure with ascites, pregnancy, Bartter syndrome) using 24-hour urine collections

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Specimen Type

Urine


Ordering Guidance


Advice on stimulation or suppression tests is available from Mayo Clinic's Division of Endocrinology; call 800-533-1710.



Necessary Information


24-Hour volume (in milliliters) is required.



Specimen Required


Patient Preparation: Spironolactone (Aldactone) should be discontinued for 4 to 6 weeks before specimen collection. The plasma renin activity cannot be interpreted if the patient is being treated with spironolactone.

Supplies: Urine tubes, 10 mL (T068)

Container/Tube: Plastic, urine tube

Specimen Volume: 10 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Add 25 mL of 50% acetic acid as preservative at start of collection. Use 15 mL of 50% acetic acid for children under the age of 5 years. This preservative is intended to achieve a pH of between approximately 2 and 4.

2. Collect urine for a full 24 hours (required) and record the total volume.

Additional Information: See Urine Preservatives-Collection and Transportation for 24-Hour Urine Specimens for multiple collections.


Specimen Minimum Volume

1 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Urine Refrigerated (preferred) 28 days
  Frozen  28 days
  Ambient  14 days

Reference Values

0-30 days: 0.7-11.0 mcg/24 h*

31 days-11 months: 0.7-22.0 mcg/24 h*

≥1 year: 2.0-20.0 mcg/24 h

 

*Loeuille GA, Racadot A, Vasseur P, Vandewalle B. Blood and urinary aldosterone levels in normal neonates, infants and children. Pediatrie. 1981;36(5):335-344

 

For International System of Units (SI) conversion for Reference Values, see www.mayocliniclabs.com/order-tests/si-unit-conversion.html

Day(s) Performed

Tuesday, Thursday

Test Classification

This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

CPT Code Information

82088

Clinical Information

Aldosterone stimulates sodium transport across cell membranes, particularly in the distal renal tubule where sodium is exchanged for hydrogen and potassium. Secondarily, aldosterone is important in the maintenance of blood pressure and blood volume.

 

Aldosterone is the major mineralocorticoid and is produced by the adrenal cortex. The renin-angiotensin system is the primary regulator of the synthesis and secretion of aldosterone. Likewise, increased concentrations of potassium in the plasma may directly stimulate adrenal production of the hormone. Under physiologic conditions, pituitary adrenocorticotropic hormone can stimulate aldosterone secretion.

 

Urinary aldosterone levels are inversely correlated with urinary sodium excretion. Normal individuals will show a suppression of urinary aldosterone with adequate sodium repletion.

 

Primary hyperaldosteronism, which may be caused by aldosterone-secreting adrenal adenoma/carcinomas or adrenal cortical hyperplasia, is characterized by hypertension accompanied by increased aldosterone levels, hypernatremia, and hypokalemia. Secondary hyperaldosteronism (eg, in response to renovascular disease, salt depletion, potassium loading, cardiac failure with ascites, pregnancy, Bartter's syndrome) is characterized by increased aldosterone levels and increased plasma rennin activity.

Report Available

2 to 8 days

Reject Due To

  All specimens will be evaluated at Mayo Clinic Laboratories for test suitability.

Method Name

Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)