What is the normal level of aldosterone?

Aldosterone is a steroid hormone produced by adrenal cortical cells. It mainly acts in the kidneys, reabsorbing sodium ions and water to maintain blood pressure stability. If the aldosterone level is too high, it can easily cause other diseases. If a woman's aldosterone level is too high, it can easily cause diseases such as high blood pressure, especially if the woman is pregnant, which is harmful to both the woman and the fetus.

Normal serum aldosterone levels

Normal range:

1. Male: 0.17～0.61nmol/L;

2. Female: 0.14～0.83nmol/L;

3. Standing position: 138～415pmol/L (5～15ng/dl);

4. Supine position: 27.7～138.5pmol/L (1～5ng/dl).

Clinical significance of plasma aldosterone

1. Hyperplasia, adenoma or cancer of the adrenal cortex can cause excessive secretion of aldosterone, which is called primary aldosteronism; congestive heart failure, ascites due to cirrhosis, nephrotic syndrome, idiopathic edema, renal artery stenosis or ischemia, salt-losing nephropathy or enteropathy, etc. can cause increased plasma aldosterone, which is called secondary aldosteronism. Aldosterone levels may also increase during pregnancy, heavy sweating, and the use of female birth control pills and estrogen.

2. The aldosterone levels in patients with hypopituitarism and adrenocortical insufficiency are significantly reduced. The former has a decreased ACTH level in the blood, while the latter has an increased ACTH level. Selective hypoaldosteronism is caused by a lack of renin secretion by the kidneys, resulting in low renin and low aldosteronism. Excessive water intake or insufficient potassium intake, as well as the use of drugs such as reserpine and propranolol can cause a decrease in aldosterone.

Normal serum aldosterone levels

Plasma Aldosterone Precautions

1. The specimen is collected with the same serum cortisol. However, the sodium and potassium in the diet must be controlled. The standard diet is: sodium 100mmol/d, potassium 60-100mmol/d.

2. Taking certain medications may affect the aldosterone test results. For example, oral contraceptives, estrogens, furosemide, angiotensin and other drugs may cause the test results to be higher; taking reserpine, prednisone, propranolol, methyldopa and using heparin may reduce the test results.

3. A diet that restricts sodium and potassium may cause the test results to be higher.