Aldosterone levels: what's normal, high and low
An adrenal hormone that controls sodium, potassium, and blood pressure.
Medically reviewed by Youmna DiStefano, MD · Last reviewed September 2026
The short answer
Aldosterone is measured with a standard blood draw; no fasting is needed. A typical reference range is 0.000 – 30.0 ng/dL. At TestWell it's $61.99 all-in as Aldosterone, results in 3–5 business days, drawn at Quest or Labcorp. An out-of-range result is a prompt to look closer, not a diagnosis.
- Units
- ng/dL
- Sample
- Blood draw
- Fasting
- Not required
- Results
- 3–5 business days
- Price
- $61.99
- Labs
- Quest or Labcorp
Aldosterone Reference Range
These are the typical adult reference ranges used by major US labs. Your report will include the specific range used by the lab that processed your sample.
| Population | Range |
|---|---|
| age 18+, upright posture | 0.000 – 30.0 ng/dL |
Reference ranges are educational. Always interpret your result with the specific range printed on your lab report and discuss anything outside the range with a clinician.
Have a result in hand? analyze it with your AI assistant using these reviewed ranges, or run it through our explainer. Tools: look up another marker's range · convert lab units
What your Aldosterone result may mean
Can reflect primary aldosteronism, low sodium intake, or diuretic use. A treatable cause of high blood pressure.
What a high Aldosterone means: causes, symptoms, next steps ↓Educational only — not a diagnosis. Many factors can influence a single result. Discuss anything that concerns you with a healthcare provider.
What does a high Aldosterone mean?
Aldosterone tells the kidneys to keep sodium and lose potassium. High aldosterone with a suppressed renin points to primary aldosteronism — an adrenal adenoma or hyperplasia, the most common curable cause of high blood pressure. High aldosterone with high renin is the kidney responding to low blood volume, low salt, diuretics or heart failure. The aldosterone-to-renin ratio is the screening test.
Common causes of a high Aldosterone
- Primary aldosteronism: aldosterone-producing adenoma, bilateral adrenal hyperplasia
- Secondary: diuretics, low-sodium diet, dehydration, heart failure, cirrhosis, renal artery stenosis, pregnancy
- Medications that raise renin and aldosterone: ACE inhibitors, ARBs, diuretics, some antidepressants
- Upright posture and stress at the draw (mild)
Ordered from most to least common.
Symptoms that can go with it
- High blood pressure, often resistant to treatment
- Muscle weakness, cramps, palpitations, excessive urination if potassium is low
- Often none
What clinicians usually check next
- Renin at the same draw for the aldosterone-to-renin ratio
- Potassium, sodium, kidney function
- Confirmatory test (saline infusion or oral salt loading) through an endocrinologist, then adrenal imaging and possibly vein sampling
- Medication review — many blood-pressure drugs distort the ratio
Seek care promptly if
- Potassium under ~3.0 mmol/L with weakness or palpitations, or blood pressure above 180/120 with symptoms — same-day care
How should I prepare for an aldosterone test?
Morning draw after being up for two hours and seated 5–15 minutes; normal salt intake; potassium corrected first; and ask the prescriber about pausing spironolactone, eplerenone and diuretics for several weeks — those change the result the most.
Educational only — not a diagnosis. A single result outside the range is a prompt to look closer with a clinician.
What does a low Aldosterone mean?
Low aldosterone with a high renin means the adrenal glands can't respond — Addison's disease (primary adrenal insufficiency) or congenital adrenal hyperplasia — and usually travels with low cortisol, low sodium and high potassium. Low aldosterone with low renin (hyporeninemic hypoaldosteronism) is common in diabetic kidney disease and with NSAIDs, ACE inhibitors, heparin and some other drugs. A high salt intake and lying flat also lower it physiologically.
Common causes of a low Aldosterone
- Primary adrenal insufficiency (Addison's disease), congenital adrenal hyperplasia
- Hyporeninemic hypoaldosteronism: diabetic kidney disease, interstitial nephritis
- Medications: ACE inhibitors, ARBs, NSAIDs, heparin, beta-blockers, calcineurin inhibitors
- High sodium intake, supine posture, older age
- Pseudohypoaldosteronism (rare, inherited)
Ordered from most to least common.
Symptoms that can go with it
- Fatigue, salt craving, dizziness on standing, low blood pressure
- Weakness or palpitations from high potassium
What clinicians usually check next
- Renin, cortisol (morning) and ACTH, sodium, potassium, kidney function
- ACTH stimulation test if adrenal insufficiency is suspected
- Medication review
Follow-up tests at TestWell: Cortisol (AM) ($26.99).
Seek care promptly if
- Low aldosterone with potassium above ~6.0 mmol/L, or with vomiting, confusion and very low blood pressure — emergency care (possible adrenal crisis)
Can medications cause low aldosterone?
Yes — ACE inhibitors, ARBs, NSAIDs and heparin are the common ones, usually together with a mildly high potassium. The result is expected on those drugs; an endocrine work-up is for low values off them.
Educational only — not a diagnosis. A single result outside the range is a prompt to look closer with a clinician.
How do you get a Aldosterone test?
Order online, a licensed physician reviews the requisition, and you walk into a nearby lab for the draw. Aldosterone is available on its own or inside these panels — panels cost less per marker when you want the fuller picture.
| Option | Includes | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Aldosterone | This marker only | $61.99 |
Quest vs. Labcorp for Aldosterone: which lab should you pick?
Both are CLIA-certified national labs and the result is clinically equivalent, so pick whichever location is closer. Your report will print that lab's own reference range, which can differ slightly from the table above.
| Lab | Available | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Quest Diagnostics | Yes | $61.99 |
| Labcorp | Yes | $78.99 |
| BioReference (NY & NJ) | No | — |
Need help choosing a location? Use the lab finder to see draw sites near your ZIP.
Related Hormones biomarkers
Markers commonly tested alongside Aldosterone.
Frequently asked
What does a high Aldosterone mean?
Aldosterone tells the kidneys to keep sodium and lose potassium. High aldosterone with a suppressed renin points to primary aldosteronism — an adrenal adenoma or hyperplasia, the most common curable cause of high blood pressure. High aldosterone with high renin is the kidney responding to low blood volume, low salt, diuretics or heart failure. The aldosterone-to-renin ratio is the screening test.
How should I prepare for an aldosterone test?
Morning draw after being up for two hours and seated 5–15 minutes; normal salt intake; potassium corrected first; and ask the prescriber about pausing spironolactone, eplerenone and diuretics for several weeks — those change the result the most.
What does a low Aldosterone mean?
Low aldosterone with a high renin means the adrenal glands can't respond — Addison's disease (primary adrenal insufficiency) or congenital adrenal hyperplasia — and usually travels with low cortisol, low sodium and high potassium. Low aldosterone with low renin (hyporeninemic hypoaldosteronism) is common in diabetic kidney disease and with NSAIDs, ACE inhibitors, heparin and some other drugs. A high salt intake and lying flat also lower it physiologically.
Can medications cause low aldosterone?
Yes — ACE inhibitors, ARBs, NSAIDs and heparin are the common ones, usually together with a mildly high potassium. The result is expected on those drugs; an endocrine work-up is for low values off them.
Do I need a doctor's order to test my aldosterone?
No. TestWell's licensed physician network reviews and approves your order — usually within minutes. You can place an order online without an in-person visit or a referral from your own doctor.
How long does it take to get Aldosterone results?
Most Aldosterone results are available in 1–3 business days after your specimen arrives at the lab. You'll get an email the moment your results are ready, with everything viewable in your TestWell portal.
How much does a Aldosterone test cost?
Our Aldosterone starts at $61.99. That's the all-in price — no copays, no insurance hoops, no surprise bills. HSA and FSA cards are accepted.
Do I need to fast before my Aldosterone test?
Fasting is not required for the Aldosterone test. You can have your blood drawn any time of day.
Which lab will process my Aldosterone test?
Your test will be processed by Quest Diagnostics, Labcorp, or BioReference depending on which is closest to you and which lab carries the test. All three are CLIA-certified and trusted by hospitals nationwide. You'll choose your lab during checkout from 4,000+ locations.
Ready to test your aldosterone?
Order in two minutes, get physician-approved, and visit a lab the same day. Starts at $61.99.