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Test Code ARAV Aldosterone, Right Adrenal Vein, Serum

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Specimen Type

Serum


Specimen Required


Patient Preparation: Spironolactone (Aldactone) should be discontinued for 4 to 6 weeks before testing. The plasma renin activity cannot be interpreted if the patient is being treated with spironolactone.

Collection Container/Tube:

Preferred: Red top

Acceptable: Serum gel

Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial

Specimen Volume: 1.8 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. See Renin-Aldosterone Studies for detailed instructions.

2. The recommended collection time is 8 a.m., after the patient is active for approximately 2 hours. Try to collect the specimen as close to that time as possible and no later than 10 a.m.

3. Centrifuge and aliquot serum into a plastic vial.


Specimen Minimum Volume

1 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Serum Refrigerated (preferred) 28 days
  Frozen  30 days
  Ambient  4 days

Reference Values

No established reference values.

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Friday

CPT Code Information

82088

Report Available

2 to 5 days

Reject Due To

Gross hemolysis OK
Gross lipemia OK
Gross icterus OK

Method Name

Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)

Clinical Information

Aldosterone stimulates sodium transport across cell membranes, particularly in the distal renal tubule where sodium is exchanged for hydrogen and potassium. Secondarily, aldosterone is important in the maintenance of blood pressure and blood volume.

 

Aldosterone is the major mineralocorticoid and is produced by the adrenal cortex.

 

The renin-angiotensin system is the primary regulator of the synthesis and secretion of aldosterone. Likewise, increased concentrations of potassium in the plasma may directly stimulate adrenal production of the hormone. Under physiologic conditions, pituitary adrenocorticotropic hormone is not a major factor in regulating aldosterone secretion.

 

For more information see Steroid Pathways.