Aldosterone:Renin Ratio Blood Test
Aldosterone-renin activity ratio blood test measures the levels of the hormones aldosterone and renin in your blood.
Description
The aldosterone-renin activity ratio blood test is used to detect excess or deficiency in aldosterone and renin levels and to help diagnose primary aldosteronism (PA, also known as Conn syndrome). This test looks at the ratio between these two hormones to help make that diagnosis.
Aldosterone is a hormone that plays an essential part in keeping normal sodium and potassium levels in the blood and in controlling blood pressure and blood volume. High levels of aldosterone can result from primary aldosteronism (PA), which causes high blood pressure. Elevated levels can cause a variety of other health conditions.
Renin is an enzyme that is produced by the kidneys, which stimulates the production of aldosterone by the adrenal glands. When there is a fall in blood pressure, or when the sodium level in the blood is lower than normal, the production of renin is triggered.
Symptoms of aldosterone excess (hyperaldosteronism), possibly caused by high levels of sodium and low levels of potassium in the blood, may include:
- Muscle weakness
- High blood pressure
- Headache
Symptoms of aldosterone deficiency, including low blood pressure, possibly caused by low blood sodium levels and high blood potassium levels, could be classified as part of a condition called adrenal insufficiency. Other symptoms of this condition may include:
- Dehydration
- Weakness
- Low blood glucose
- Joint pain
- Bellyaches
- Dark skin patches
