---
title: "What does a high Aldosterone mean?"
type: biomarker-interpretation
url: "https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/aldosterone/high"
biomarker: Aldosterone
direction: high
reference_range:
  - "age 18+, upright posture: 0.000 – 30.0 ng/dL"
reviewed_at: 2026-09-08
review_status: reviewed
date_published: 2026-09-05
---

# 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.


## When does this result need same-day care?

- Potassium under ~3.0 mmol/L with weakness or palpitations, or blood pressure above 180/120 with symptoms — same-day care

## What is the normal range for Aldosterone?

- age 18+, upright posture: 0.000 – 30.0 ng/dL

Can reflect primary aldosteronism, low sodium intake, or diuretic use. A treatable cause of high blood pressure.

## What are the common causes of high Aldosterone?

1. Primary aldosteronism: aldosterone-producing adenoma, bilateral adrenal hyperplasia
2. Secondary: diuretics, low-sodium diet, dehydration, heart failure, cirrhosis, renal artery stenosis, pregnancy
3. Medications that raise renin and aldosterone: ACE inhibitors, ARBs, diuretics, some antidepressants
4. Upright posture and stress at the draw (mild)

## What symptoms go with high Aldosterone?

- High blood pressure, often resistant to treatment
- Muscle weakness, cramps, palpitations, excessive urination if potassium is low
- Often none

## What do 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

## How do you recheck Aldosterone?

| Test or panel | Type | Price | Fasting | Results |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Aldosterone](https://www.test-well.com/tests/aldosterone-test) | Test | $61.99 | No | 3–5 business days |

Plus one $6 lab processing fee per order; physician authorization included.

## Common questions

### 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.

## Related

- [What does a low Aldosterone mean?](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/aldosterone/low)
- [Aldosterone reference ranges](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/aldosterone)
- [Total Testosterone reference range](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/total-testosterone)
- [Free Testosterone reference range](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/free-testosterone)
- [SHBG reference range](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/shbg)

## Sources

- [Mayo Clinic Labs](https://www.mayocliniclabs.com/test-catalog/overview/8369)
- [MedlinePlus (NIH) — Aldosterone Test](https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/aldosterone-test/)

---

Medically reviewed by Youmna DiStefano, MD (Medical Reviewer, TestWell); last reviewed 2026-09-08. Review policy: https://www.test-well.com/editorial-policy

Canonical page: https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/aldosterone/high
Machine-readable catalog: https://www.test-well.com/api/catalog.json · MCP server: https://www.test-well.com/mcp · Overview for agents: https://www.test-well.com/llms.txt

Prices are cash-pay, in USD, and include physician authorization; every order adds one flat $6 lab processing fee. Educational content is not a diagnosis — discuss results with a clinician.