Aldosterone (24-hour urine) | Laboratory research

General Information

Aldosterone Is a steroid hormone that is synthesized from cholesterol in the cells of the glomerular layer of the adrenal cortex. It is the main and most powerful mineralocorticoid. It is metabolized in the liver and kidneys, leading to increased reabsorption of sodium and chlorine in the renal tubules. As a result, sodium and chlorine retention is observed in the body, fluid excretion in the urine is reduced, and potassium excretion is increased in parallel. Aldosterone is involved in regulating electrolyte balance, maintaining blood volume, and maintaining blood pressure.

Normal aldosterone secretion depends on many factors - the action of the renin-angiotensin system, potassium content (stimulates hyperkalemia, and hypokalemia inhibits aldosterone production), ACTH (short-term increase in aldosterone secretion in physiological conditions, short-term increase in blood secretion).

Excess aldosterone causes hypokalemia, metabolic alkalosis, marked sodium retention, and increased urinary potassium excretion, which is clinically manifested in the form of arterial hypertension, muscle weakness, convulsions, and paresthesias and arrhythmias.

In primary hyperaldosteronism (Cone syndrome) there is an autonomic increase in aldosterone secretion, the most common cause of which is adenoma of the glomerular zone of the adrenal cortex (up to 62%).

Secondary hyperaldosteronism is associated with congestive heart failure, liver cirrhosis and ascites, certain kidney diseases, high-potassium and low-sodium diets, toxicosis in pregnant women, all cases of renal artery stenosis (2-3%).

Chronic insufficiency of the adrenal cortex (Addison's disease), autoimmune pathology of the adrenal gland, amyloidosis is accompanied by a decrease in the level of aldosterone and an increase in plasma renin.

Before aldosterone testing, the patient needs to be removed from medications that affect hormone secretion