hormonal and metabolic disorders
Hyperaldosteronism
Diagnosis of Hyperaldosteronism
Measurement of sodium, potassium, and hormone levels in the blood Imaging tests of the adrenal glands Doctors who suspect hyperaldosteronism test the levels of sodium and potassium in the blood to see whether the potassium level is low. However, sometimes people with hyperaldosteronism have a normal potassium level. The sodium level may be mildly increased. Doctors also measure renin and aldosterone levels. If the aldosterone level is high,spironolactoneoreplerenone, drugs that block the action of aldosterone, may be given to see if the levels of sodium and potassium return to normal. Doctors also measure the levels of renin. In Conn syndrome, the levels of renin are also very low because they are suppressed by high levels of aldosterone. In secondary hyperaldosteronism, the levels of renin are high, and they stimulate production of aldosterone. When too much aldosterone is being produced but renin levels are very low, doctors examine the adrenal glands for a noncancerous tumor (adenoma). Computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be helpful, but sometimes blood samples from each of the adrenal glands must be tested to determine the source of the hormone. 