Aldosterone Renin Ratio ARR

ARR is the Aldosterone Renin Ratio which is calculated from

Aldosterone (serum code ALDOS)

and

RENINE (EDTA)

also known as ARQ

This test is done only in hospitals for people with hypertension. As of July 2022, decided not to offer this test by blood value test.

This examination can only be taken at the lab in Mönchengladbach, because otherwise it has to be shipped frozen.

In preparation for the blood draw, spironolactone, eplerenone, contraceptives containing drospirenone, triamterene, and amiloride should be discontinued 4 weeks prior to the test because they have a lasting effect on ARQ. During this time, consumption of licorice and chewing tobacco should also be avoided. The "allowed" antihypertensive drugs include mainly peripheral alpha blockers (e.g. doxazosin) and calcium antagonists of the non-dihydroperidine type (e.g. verapamil). In addition, before each measurement, potassium levels should be normalized and the patient should be asked to follow a balanced diet with respect to their salt intake. The sample is taken in the morning, approximately two hours after getting up, sitting down after 5 to 15 minutes of rest.

The calculation is as follows: aldosterone (nmol/l)*1000 / renin (mE/l).

The hormone Aldosterone regulates blood pressure via the adrenal gland.

Aldosterone regulates potassium and salt levels in the blood.

If hyperaldosteronism is suspected, the ratio of aldosterone to renin, the aldosterone-renin quotient (ARQ), in the blood should be determined.

If you have hyperaldosteronism, your adrenal glands produce too much of the adrenal hormone aldosterone.

Preanalysis:

In preparation for a blood draw, spironolactone, eplerenone, contraceptives containing drospirenone, triamtereen and amiloride should be discontinued 4 weeks before the test because they have a lasting effect on the ARQ. During this time you should refrain from consuming licorice and chewing tobacco. The "permitted" antihypertensive drugs include mainly peripheral alpha blockers (e.g. doxazosin) and calcium antagonists of the non-dihydroperidine type (e.g. verapamil). In addition, potassium levels should be normalized before each measurement and the patient should be asked to follow a balanced diet with respect to their salt intake.

It should be taken in the morning, about two hours after getting up, in a sitting position after 5 to 15 minutes of rest.

Aldosterone is a steroid hormone produced in the adrenal gland, more precisely in the zona glomerulosa, the outer layer of the adrenal cortex. Aldosterone belongs to the so-called mineralocorticoids. It plays an important role in maintaining blood pressure.

Aldosterone too high

This may be primary hyperaldosteronism, which includes Conn's syndrome. When the high aldosterone concentrations are the result of too high plasma renin activity, this is called secondary hyperaldosteronism.

primary hyperaldosteronism = Conn's syndrome (aldosterone-producing adrenal adenomas, aldosterone-producing carcinoma, idiopathic hyperaldosteronism, glucocorticoid-suppressable aldosteronism) secondary hyperaldosteronism (renal artery stenosis, renin-producing hypertension panarteritis nodosa, Bartter syndrome, pseudo-Bartter syndrome, postoperative, sometimes Cushing's syndrome and adrenogenital syndrome.

Aldosterone too low?

Then there may be Addison's disease or the salt-losing form of Adrenogenital Syndrome (AGS), for example.

This hormone is supplemented by the use of the medicinal substitute for aldosterone: fludrocortisone (Florinef). Licorice, liquorice tea, some cough drops, candy and anisettes contain glycyrrhizin, which has an aldosterone-like effect, and thus increases blood pressure.

Secondary hypoaldosteronism (hyporenemia, pituitary insufficiency), idiopathic isolated biosynthetic defects of aldosterone can also be present.