Serum or plasma mass concentration of aldosterone

Your doctor may order this test if you have high blood pressure that is hard to control, low potassium levels, or signs that your adrenal glands are making too much or too little aldosterone, the hormone that helps regulate the balance of salt and water in your body. It is also used to evaluate certain causes of dizziness, muscle weakness, or fatigue.

Your doctor may recommend this test if you have symptoms like high blood pressure, low potassium levels, or signs of conditions such as primary aldosteroneism (Conn’s syndrome) or adrenal gland issues. It may also be used to monitor certain medications or treatments affecting hormone balance.

Your care team may ask you to follow a normal-salt diet for several days before the test and may have you temporarily stop certain medicines, such as diuretics, blood pressure drugs, or supplements, because they can change your results. Tell your doctor about every medication you take, including birth control pills, and mention if you are pregnant, since hormone levels naturally rise during pregnancy. Fasting is usually not required unless other blood tests are being done at the same time.

No special preparation is usually needed, but you may be asked to fast for 8–12 hours before the test if it’s part of a broader panel. If you’re taking medications like potassium supplements, your doctor may advise adjusting them temporarily.

A health professional will draw a small sample of blood, usually from a vein on the inside of your elbow or the back of your hand. A band is placed around your upper arm, the site is cleaned with an antiseptic, and a needle is used to collect the sample into a tube. You may feel a quick sting or pinch. The blood draw takes only a few minutes, a small bandage is applied afterward, and you can return to your normal activities right away. Some facilities may also test a urine sample collected over 24 hours.

A blood sample is drawn from a vein in your arm. The sample is then sent to a lab for analysis using mass spectrometry to measure aldosterone levels accurately.

High aldosterone levels may point to conditions such as primary aldosteronism, an adrenal gland tumor, or narrowing of the arteries that supply the kidneys, while low levels can occur with Addison disease, adrenal insufficiency, or certain medicines. Your doctor will interpret your result together with your potassium level, kidney function, blood pressure, and other hormone tests. An out-of-range value does not automatically mean you have a serious condition, and additional testing is often needed before a diagnosis is made.

Results are compared to reference ranges specific to your lab, which may vary. High aldosterone levels could suggest conditions like hyperaldosteronism, while low levels might indicate adrenal insufficiency or other hormonal imbalances.