Serum or plasma mass concentration of aldosterone
This test measures the amount of aldosterone, a hormone produced by your adrenal glands that helps regulate blood pressure and fluid balance.
["Aldosterone helps control how much sodium and potassium your body retains, which can affect your blood pressure and heart function."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 105023-6
- Short code
- NDM7
- Synonyms
- blaNDM-7 Islt/Spm Ql
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Sterile, leak-proof container; bacterial culture transport medium or nucleic acid preservation tube; for serum specimens, serum separator tube (SST) or red-top tube
- Units
- N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Method
- molgen
- CPT
- 87798 (Amplified probe technique, infectious agent detection, not otherwise specified); or 87153 (carbapenemase gene detection)
- SNOMED
- 399033004 (Detection of bacterial resistance gene) or 418829005 (carbapenem resistance)
- Specimen volume
- 1-2 mL of serum, or per institutional protocol for bacterial isolate or clinical specimen (e.g., 0.5-1 mL for pure bacterial isolate suspended in transport medium)
- Stability
- Refrigerated (2-8°C) for up to 7 days; frozen (-20°C or below) for long-term storage up to 30 days. DNA extracts stable at -20°C to -80°C for extended periods.
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 4–72 hours
- Order
- routine
Why This Test Might Be Ordered
Your doctor may recommend this test if you have symptoms like high blood pressure, unusual thirst, frequent urination, or signs of fluid imbalance. It could also be part of an evaluation for conditions like primary aldosteroneism, adrenal tumors, or certain kidney or heart disorders.
What to Expect Before the Test
No special preparation is usually needed, but you may be asked to fast for 8–12 hours before the test if it involves a blood draw. If you’re on medications like potassium-sparing diuretics, let your doctor know before testing.
How the Test Works
A blood sample is taken from a vein in your arm. The sample is then sent to a lab to measure aldosterone levels using a sensitive analytical method, often an immunoassay or mass spectrometry technique.
What the Results Mean
Results are compared to a reference range for your age and health status. High levels may suggest conditions like Conn’s syndrome or adrenal tumors, while very low levels could indicate adrenal insufficiency or other hormonal imbalances.
Reference range
Negative (blaNDM-7 gene not detected). Result reported as Detected or Not Detected.N/A
No special patient preparation required. Specimen should be collected prior to initiation of antimicrobial therapy whenever possible to maximize detection yield. Patient should be informed of results' implications for isolation precautions and treatment options.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
Clinical Significance
Short name
Aldosterone level
Frequently asked questions
What does aldosterone do in my body?
Can diet affect my aldosterone test results?
What if my aldosterone level is abnormal?
Sources
- 1
- 2Lab Tests OnlineSource
- 3
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 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy