Aldosterone, 24 Hours Urine Test: Booking, Price, and Results
About Aldosterone, 24 Hours Urine Test
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | 24-hour urinary aldosterone excretion test, Aldosterone urine test, ALD urine test, Urinary aldosterone |
| Sample Type | 24-hour urine collection |
| Fasting Required | No fasting required; however, a low-sodium diet (no more than 3 g of salt per day) is recommended for at least 2 weeks before the test |
| Report Time | 4 days |
| Recommended For | Adults of all genders |
| Price | Starting at ₹1,800 |
What is an Aldosterone, 24 Hours Urine Test?
The Aldosterone Test measures how much aldosterone your body excretes in urine over a full day. Aldosterone is a hormone made by the adrenal glands (small glands that sit above the kidneys) and plays a key role in regulating blood pressure by controlling sodium and potassium levels.
A doctor may order this test when blood pressure is difficult to control or when certain hormone-related conditions are suspected. The sample used is a 24-hour urine collection, which gives a more reliable picture of daily aldosterone output than a single blood sample.
What Does an Aldosterone, 24 Hours Urine Test Measure?
This test measures the total amount of aldosterone released into urine over 24 hours. Because aldosterone levels in the blood vary throughout the day, the 24-hour urine collection avoids those daily fluctuations and provides a steadier, more accurate reading.
The table below summarises what this test analyses:
| Component | What it Tells You |
|---|---|
| Aldosterone | Total daily output of aldosterone or blood-pressure-regulating hormone from the adrenal glands |
The result reflects how well your adrenal glands are producing aldosterone and whether levels are appropriate for your current diet and health status.
Why is an Aldosterone, 24 Hours Urine Test Done?
Doctors order this test to investigate unexplained changes in blood pressure, potassium levels, or adrenal gland function. It is a useful tool for identifying hormonal disorders that standard tests may not reveal.
Common Symptoms That May Require This Test
The following symptoms are among the reasons a doctor may recommend the Aldosterone urine test:
- Persistent high blood pressure that does not respond well to standard medications
- Muscle cramps or unexplained muscle weakness
- Excessive thirst or frequent urination
- Fatigue or general lack of energy
- Heart rhythm disturbances linked to low potassium levels
Conditions This Test Can Help Detect
This test can support the diagnosis of several conditions, including:
- Primary aldosteronism (Conn's syndrome): overproduction of aldosterone, often due to a benign growth on an adrenal gland
- Secondary aldosteronism: raised aldosterone caused by external factors such as kidney disease, heart failure, or certain medicines
- Adrenal adenoma or adrenal cortical hyperplasia (abnormal growth of adrenal tissue)
- Renovascular disease (narrowing of the arteries that supply the kidneys)
- Bartter syndrome (a rare kidney condition affecting salt balance)
- Addison's disease: a condition in which the adrenal glands produce too little aldosterone and cortisol
How to Prepare and What to Expect
Preparing correctly for this test is important, as diet and medications can significantly affect the results. Reading these instructions carefully before you begin will help ensure an accurate outcome.
Do You Need to Fast?
No fasting is required for this test. However, your doctor will likely advise you to eat no more than 3 grams of sodium (salt) per day for at least 2 weeks before collection. This dietary change helps ensure your results can be interpreted accurately against standard reference ranges.
Practical Tips Before Your Test
Here are some key steps to follow before and during the collection:
- Bring a detailed clinical history, including your symptoms, previous test results, and any relevant medical records, as this is required for the test.
- Inform your doctor about all medicines you are currently taking, particularly diuretics, antihypertensive drugs, oestrogen-containing preparations, or any medicine containing licorice.
- If you take spironolactone (Aldactone), your doctor may ask you to stop it 4 to 6 weeks before collection. Never stop any medicine without your doctor's approval.
- Avoid coffee, tea, and cola on the day of collection.
- Stay well hydrated throughout the collection period.
Step-by-Step Procedure
- On the morning of day one, urinate into the toilet as normal and discard this sample. Note the exact time.
- From that point onward, collect every urine sample in the container provided for the next 24 hours. Keep the container refrigerated or stored in a cooler with ice throughout.
- The container will contain a preservative (acetic acid) added at the start of collection to keep the sample stable. Do not discard it.
- At the same time, on the following morning, produce a final urine sample and add it to the container to complete the 24-hour collection.
- Note the total volume of urine collected and write the start and end times on the container label as instructed.
- Return the container to the Lupin Diagnostics collection centre or hand it to the designated representative as directed.
Factors That Can Affect Accuracy
Several factors can alter the test result. Be sure to discuss these with your doctor beforehand:
- Dietary sodium intake (too much or too little salt before the test)
- Medicines such as diuretics, antihypertensives, oestrogen, cyclic progestational agents, and licorice-containing products
- Incomplete urine collection (missing even one void can affect the result)
- Caffeine consumption on the day of collection
- High levels of physical or emotional stress
- Potassium deficiency at the time of testing
Understanding Your Aldosterone, 24 Hours Urine Test Results
Your results reflect the total aldosterone excreted in urine over 24 hours. The normal range varies depending on your sodium intake during the collection period.
| Dietary Condition | Normal Range |
|---|---|
| Normal diet | 6 to 25 mcg per 24 hours |
| Low-salt diet | 17 to 44 mcg per 24 hours |
| High-salt diet | 0 to 6 mcg per 24 hours |
Disclaimer: These ranges are general guidelines. Your doctor will interpret your results based on your age, health history, and other factors. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised medical advice.
Results During Special Conditions
Certain circumstances can make standard reference ranges less applicable. Your doctor will take these into account:
- Medications: If you are taking diuretics, antihypertensive drugs, oestrogen, or cyclic progestational agents, your results may not be reliably interpretable until those medicines are stopped.
- Age: Urinary aldosterone excretion tends to decrease with age, so results should be compared against age-appropriate reference ranges.
- Low potassium: Aldosterone secretion is reduced when potassium levels are low, which can affect results. Testing is best done after any potassium deficiency has been corrected.
How to Maintain Healthy Levels
These general wellness habits support balanced adrenal function:
- Eat a diet with moderate sodium intake and include potassium-rich foods such as bananas, lentils, and leafy greens.
- Stay adequately hydrated and try to manage day-to-day stress through regular rest and light physical activity.
- Follow your doctor's guidance on any medicines or supplements that may influence adrenal hormones.
Lupin Diagnostics Aldosterone, 24 Hours Urine Test Price and Home Collection
The Aldosterone Test is available at Lupin Diagnostics starting at ₹1,800, and home collection is available across multiple cities. The prices below are indicative and subject to location.
| City | Approximate Price (₹) |
|---|---|
| BHOPAL | 1800 |
| CHENNAI | 1800 |
| HYDERABAD | 1800 |
| KOLKATA | 1800 |
| NAVI MUMBAI | 1800 |
| PUNE | 1800 |
Disclaimer: Prices are indicative and may vary by location. Please confirm the current price at the time of booking.
Home Collection
The Aldosterone test home collection service is available across cities, with a trained collection professional visiting your home at a time that suits you. All samples are processed in NABL-accredited laboratories under strict quality controls. Your digital report will be shared directly with you once ready.
How to Book
- Select the Aldosterone, 24 Hours Urine Test on the Lupin Diagnostics website.
- Choose your city and preferred time slot.
- Opt for home sample collection by a certified phlebotomist, or visit your nearest Lupin Diagnostics centre.
- Receive your report via email or WhatsApp within the stipulated turnaround time.
Frequently Asked Questions
This test measures the total amount of aldosterone your body releases in urine over a full day. It helps doctors assess whether your adrenal glands are producing too much or too little of this hormone, which is essential for maintaining blood pressure and electrolyte balance.
Aldosterone levels in the blood change throughout the day. A 24-hour urine sample captures the total daily output, which removes the effect of those natural fluctuations. This makes the result more reliable for diagnostic purposes.
Your doctor will usually ask you to limit your salt intake to no more than 3 grams per day for at least 2 weeks before the test. On the day of collection, avoid coffee, tea, and cola, as these can interfere with the results.
Let your doctor know about all medicines you take, particularly spironolactone, diuretics, antihypertensives, oestrogen-containing medicines, and any supplements containing licorice. Some of these may need to be paused before the test. Never stop a prescribed medicine without medical advice.
A result above the normal range may suggest hyperaldosteronism, a condition where the adrenal glands produce too much aldosterone. The most common cause is a benign (non-cancerous) growth on an adrenal gland, known as Conn's syndrome. Your doctor will advise on the next steps.
Lower-than-normal aldosterone levels may indicate hypoaldosteronism or Addison's disease, a condition in which the adrenal glands do not produce enough hormones. Low levels can also be linked to congenital adrenal hyperplasia. A doctor's review is needed for any result outside the normal range.
The collection process carries no risk or discomfort. It involves only normal urination into a container over 24 hours. The most important thing is to follow the collection instructions carefully so that no sample is missed.
Aldosterone, 24 Hours Urine Test: Booking, Price, and Results
