24-hour urinary aldosterone excretion rate

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The 24-hour urinary aldosterone excretion rate test measures the amount of aldosterone removed in the urine in a day. Aldosterone is a hormone released by the adrenal gland that helps the kidney control salt and potassium balance.

See also: Blood aldosterone test

Aldosterone - urine

A 24-hour urine sample is needed.

• On day 1, urinate into the toilet when you get up in the morning.
• Afterwards, collect all urine in a special container for the next 24 hours.
• On day 2, urinate into the container when you get up in the morning.
• Cap the container. Keep it in the refrigerator or a cool place during the collection period.
• Label the container with your name, the date, the time of completion, and return it as instructed.

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For an infant, thoroughly wash the area around the urethra. Open a urine collection bag (a plastic bag with an adhesive paper on one end), and place it on the infant. For males, place the entire penis in the bag and attach the adhesive to the skin. For females, place the bag over the labia. Diaper as usual over the secured bag.

This procedure may take a couple of attempts -- lively infants can move the bag, causing the urine to be absorbed by the diaper. Check the infant frequently and change the bag after the infant has urinated into it. Drain the urine from the bag into the container provided by your health care provider.

Deliver it to the laboratory or your health care provider as soon as possible upon completion.

Your health care provider will instruct you, if necessary, to stop taking drugs that may interfere with the test.

Drugs that can increase aldosterone measurements include lithium, spironolactone, and verapamil.

Drugs that can decrease aldosterone measurements include ACE inhibitors, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, ranitidine, and propranolol.

Factors, other than medications, that can affect aldosterone measurements include strenuous exercise, acute stress, high- or low-sodium diet, and pregnancy. You should avoid coffee, tea, and cola during urine collection. Remain on a 3 grams of sodium per day diet for at least 2 weeks.

The test involves only normal urination, and there is no discomfort.

The test is done to see how much aldosterone is released into your urine.

Review Date: 07/25/2009
Reviewed By: Robert Cooper, MD, Endocrinology Specialist and Chief of Medicine, Holyoke Medical Center, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).