Analysis index

1 ml serum (Aldosterone) and 1 ml EDTA plasma, frozen (Renin)

Please refer to findings report

Suspicion of primary hyperaldosteronism

Some antihypertensive drugs should be discontinued as far as clinically tenable: Beta blockers, centrally effective alpha-1 agonists (such as ebrantil) as well as nonsteroidal antirheumatics may lead to false positive results and should definitely be discontinued. Aldosterone receptor antagonists (spironolactone), ACE inhibitors, AT-1 inhibitors (sartans), calcium antagonists of the dihydropyridine type (amlodipine, nifedipine) and diuretics can lead to false negative results. Aldosterone receptor antagonists (4 weeks before) and loop diuretics (1 week before) should definitely be discontinued. All other antihypertensives may be continued, if discontinuation is not clinically tenable. Definite evaluation with these drugs however, is only possible in case of a positive result. Renin inhibitors (such as aliskiren) may lead to false negative as well as false positive results and should also be discontinued. Having large amounts of liquorice may also lead to falsification of the ARQ result. Whilst it is not an essential precondition, it is still the recommendation to test women during the first half of their menstrual cycle.