Normal Values:

Normal levels vary:

• Between children, teens, and adults
• Depending on whether you were standing, sitting, or lying down when the blood was drawn

Normal values vary from lab to lab. Talk to your doctor about your specific test results.

What abnormal results mean:

Higher-than-normal levels of aldosterone may indicate:

• Bartter syndrome (extremely rare)
• Primary hyperaldosteronism
• Secondary hyperaldosteronism from heart or kidney disease
• Very low-sodium diet

Lower-than-normal levels of aldosterone may indicate:

• Addison's disease
• Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
• Hyporeninemic hypoaldosteronism
• Very high-sodium diet

What the risks are:

Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.

Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include:

• Excessive bleeding
• Fainting or feeling light-headed
• Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
• Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)

Special considerations:

Factors that can affect aldosterone measurements include:

• Amount of salt in the diet
• Strenuous exercise
• Stress

Many medications can influence aldosterone levels, including:

• ACE inhibitors
• Calcium channel blockers
• Diuretics
• Heparin
• Lithium
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Propranolol