You will sit during the saline suppression and captopril challenge test. You may bring a book to read or use your electronic device. The Procedureįor the saline suppression test, plan on being at the hospital or clinic for about five hours. The doctor will advise you on whether you should fast before the test or whether you can have a light snack with certain medications. Another blood draw will ensure the potassium is at an appropriate level. Your doctor will advise you on any medications that need to be temporarily avoided.Ī week before the dynamic test, you will have your blood levels of potassium checked, and you may be given a supplement if your levels are low. This is important, since some blood pressure drugs, diuretics (water pills), heart medications and pain relievers can affect the test.
PreparationĪ member of the endocrine specialty team will review all of your medications and supplements with you. If you have excessive levels of aldosterone, taking the captopril will not lower aldosterone and raise renin levels as it would in patients without the disease. You may also be given a test called a captopril challenge test (CCT), where you take a blood pressure medicine called captopril followed by a blood test to see if the medication lowers your aldosterone levels. This can involve eating high-sodium diet for four days or undergoing a saline infusion for four hours followed by a blood test. To confirm primary aldosteronism and rule out other possible causes for your blood pressure, your doctor may order special screenings called dynamic tests.įor example, you may have a saline suppression test (SST).
Dynamic Testing to Confirm Primary Aldosteronism
You may be required to stop taking your medication temporarily.
Some blood pressure medications such as spironolactone and eplerenone may affect some of the tests your doctor orders, including this screening test. If your renin level is very low and your aldosterone level is high, you may have primary aldosteronism. Renin is a substance released by your kidneys that helps control blood pressure. If your health care provider suspects primary aldosteronism, you will likely have a screening test to measure levels of aldosterone and renin in your blood.
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