As a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands, the Aldosterone affects body’s ability to regulate blood pressure, and causes bloodstream to reabsorb sodium water to increase blood volume. This hormone helps to balance blood’s electrolyte and pH levels.

Related to two hormones, renin and angiotensin, this whole system helps in maintaining blood pressure of the body, a change in level of which can cause tumours in the adrenal glands, low potassium levels, sudden increase in blood level and Addison’s disease.

What can a test determine and its results:

This Aldosterone test is taken when there are changes in blood pressure levels and low potassium content in blood. By means of this test, it can be derived as to whether the levels are higher or lower. In case of high aldosterone levels, problems as renal artery stenosis, liver cirrhosis, renal or heart failure, Conn syndrome, Cushing syndrome or Bartter’s syndrome can happen. With low levels of aldosterone, dehydration and low levels of potassium and sodium can be found.

The primary risks associated with this problem include skin infection, hematoma, excessive bleeding, and fainting. With specific aldosterone tests for checking out andrenocorticotrophin (ACTH) infusion, captopril, intravenous (IV) saline infusion, renin-ALD ratio, a proper treatment plan can be framed.