Complete Blood Count (CBC): What You Need to Know About This Common Blood Test
This test measures the level of angiotensinogen, a protein in your blood that plays a key role in regulating blood pressure and fluid balance.
{"Angiotensinogen is a protein made by your liver that helps control blood pressure","This test is often used to evaluate conditions like high blood pressure or kidney disease","Results help doctors understand how well your body's blood pressure regulation system is working"}
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 1861-4
- Short code
- AGT
- Synonyms
- Angiotensinogen Plas-mCnc
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- plasma
- Container
- Lavender-top (EDTA) or plasma separator tube (PST); alternatively, sodium heparin tubes may be used per laboratory protocol
- Units
- N/A
- Ref low
- 200
- Ref high
- 2400
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–99 years
- Method
- Radioimmunoassay (RIA) or Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)
- CPT
- 82164
- SNOMED
- 104668003
- Specimen volume
- 2-3 mL of plasma; minimum 1 mL
- Stability
- Plasma is stable for 2 hours at room temperature; 4 weeks at -20°C; 6 months at -70°C. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles. Centrifuge specimen within 30 minutes of collection.
- Hemolysis max
- 100
- Lipemia max
- 150
- Icterus max
- 50
- TAT
- 24–72 hours
- Order
- routine
What is this test? A complete blood count, or CBC, is a routine blood test that measures the cells in your blood, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. It gives your healthcare provider a broad picture of your overall health and can help detect many conditions, such as anemia, infections, and certain blood disorders, often before symptoms appear.
The angiotensinogen test measures the amount of a specific protein called angiotensinogen in your blood plasma. Angiotensinogen is produced by your liver and circulates in your bloodstream. It is an important part of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), which is your body's natural system for controlling blood pressure and maintaining the right balance of fluids and salts in your body.
Why might I need this test? Your provider may order a CBC as part of a routine checkup to screen for hidden health problems, to help find the cause of symptoms like fatigue, weakness, fever, bruising, or unusual bleeding, or to monitor a condition you already have, such as anemia or an infection, and to check how treatments are affecting your blood cells.
Your doctor may order this test if you have high blood pressure (hypertension) that is difficult to control, or if they suspect there may be a problem with your kidney function or the hormonal system that regulates blood pressure. It may also be used to help distinguish between different causes of high blood pressure or to evaluate certain kidney or liver conditions.
How is the test done? A small sample of blood is drawn from a vein, usually on the inside of your elbow or the back of your hand. A band is wrapped around your upper arm, the site is cleaned, and a needle collects the blood into a tube. The process takes only a few minutes, you may feel a brief sting, and the sample is then sent to a laboratory for analysis.
A healthcare professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm using a small needle. You may feel a brief stinging sensation when the needle goes in. The blood sample is then sent to a laboratory where the amount of angiotensinogen is measured. The test is relatively quick and simple, usually taking only a few minutes to collect the sample.
Reference range
Adults: Approximately 200-2400 ng/mL (varies by assay method and laboratory). Reference values should be established by each laboratory based on their methodology and population.N/A
No special patient preparation required. Dietary sodium intake should be noted as it can influence renin-angiotensin system activity. Recent changes in position, exercise, or medications affecting the renin-angiotensin system should be documented.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
Angiotensinogen levels can provide important information about your cardiovascular and kidney health. Elevated levels may be associated with conditions such as essential hypertension (high blood pressure without a known cause), certain kidney diseases, heart failure, or liver disease. Low levels are less common but may occur in some liver disorders where protein production is reduced. This test is often used together with other tests like renin and aldosterone measurements to get a complete picture of how your blood pressure regulation system is functioning.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to fast before this test?
Are there any risks with this blood test?
How long does it take to get results?
What can affect my angiotensinogen levels?
Sources
- 1MedlinePlus - Blood TestSource
- 2
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 15, 2026. · Read our editorial policy