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How do you approach checking an aldosterone to renin ratio in an outpatient with hypertension and hypokalemia that is difficult to correct with oral potassium replacement?

Would you check an aldosterone to renin ratio in the setting of hypokalemia, knowing that the result will be impacted by the potassium level?
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How do you approach checking an aldosterone to renin ratio (ARR) in an outpatient with hypertension and hypokalemia that is difficult to correct with oral potassium replacement?

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2 Answers
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Mednet MemberInvited Expert
Nephrology · UCLA
Answered on

It is well known that hypokalemia can affect the aldosterone-renin ratio (ARR). Since hypokalemia directly inhibits aldosterone production, this can lead to false negative results when using ARR to screen for primary aldosteronism.

If it is difficult to correct hypokalemia with oral potassium repla...

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Mednet Member
Mednet MemberInvited Expert
Nephrology · UAB Medicine
Answered on · Updated on

Repleting potassium is very important for the adrenal vein testing. I'll still get an ARR in the setting of hypokalemia. The hypokalemia should not affect the renin. If renin is suppressed, then that'll prompt me to pursue 24-hour urine testing for aldosterone (as well as Na, K, Cr, and we also chec...

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