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Aldosterone

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB1230656

Department

Immunology

Instructions

If an upright sample is requested, the patient should be upright (seated or standing) for at least 2 hours prior to specimen collection.

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect (preferred specimen): One Lavender-top tube.
Send specimen for processing immediately after collection.

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

Centrifuge to separate the plasma from cells. Transfer plasma to a plastic transport tube and freeze (-20°C/-4°F or below) immediately.

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: 1.0 mL plasma, frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below). (Minimum: 0.6 mL)

Rejection Criteria

• Grossly hemolyzed specimens.
• Grossly lipemic specimens.
• Specimens not collected and processed as indicated.
• Heparin plasma. 
• Serum Specimens.
• Unspun specimens.

In-Lab Processing

Centrifuge to separate the plasma from cells. Transport plasma to a plastic transport tube and freeze (-20°C/-4°F or below) immediately.

Transport: 1.0 mL plasma, frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below). (Minimum: 0.6 mL)

Maintain specimen frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below) prior to testing.

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Whole Blood
Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): Unacceptable
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): Unacceptable
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): Unacceptable

Aliquoted Plasma
Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): Unacceptable
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 5 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 4 weeks

Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:

Specimen is kept for 7 days frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below).

Laboratory

Royal Oak Special Chemistry Laboratory

Performed

Tuesday and Saturday.
Results available in 1-5 days.

Reference Range

By report.

Test Methodology

Quantitative Chemiluminescent Immunoassay.

Interpretation

Aldosterone concentration is affected by posture prior to blood collection and sodium intake. High sodium intake tends to suppress aldosterone, whereas low sodium intake will elevate aldosterone. The references intervals are based on normal intake. 

Posture	Aldosterone (ng/dL)
Upright	4.0-31.0
Supine	≤ 16.0
Unspecified	≤ 31.0

Clinical Utility

Aldosterone and Direct Renin measurements are intended for use in the diagnosis of primary aldosteronism. Calculating the ratio of aldosterone to direct renin is preferred when screening for hyperaldosteronism. 

CPT Codes

82088

LOINC Code
1768-1

Contacts

Last Updated

8/1/2025