How To Prepare
Eat foods with a normal amount of
sodium (2,300
mg per day) for at least 2 weeks before the test. Do
not eat foods that are very salty, such as bacon, canned soups and vegetables,
olives, bouillon, soy sauce, and salty snacks like potato chips or pretzels. A
low-salt diet can also increase aldosterone levels. Tell your doctor if you are
on a low-salt food plan.
Do not eat natural black licorice for at
least 2 weeks before an aldosterone test.
Many medicines may
change the results of this test. Be sure to tell your doctor about all the
nonprescription and prescription medicines you take.
You may be asked to stop taking some medicines for about 2 weeks before the
test. These include hormones (such as progesterone and
estrogen),
corticosteroids,
diuretics, and many medicines used to treat high blood
pressure, especially spironolactone (Aldactone) and eplerenone (Inspra).
Talk to your doctor about any concerns you have regarding the need for
the test, its risks, how it will be done, or what the results will mean. To
help you understand the importance of this test, fill out the
medical test information form
(What is a PDF document?).