Specimen Requirements
Title
Direct Renin (Renin, Activity)
Specimen Requirement
Patient Preparation: Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitors should be avoided, if possible, for at least 48 hours prior to collection. Sprironlactone (Aldactone) should be discontinued 4-6 weeks prior to testing. Patient should be on a normal sodium diet.
Collect 2 lavender EDTA tubes, centrifuge and transfer 2.5 mL plasma to a screw top plastic vial, indicate sample type on tube and send on dry ice.
CRITICAL FROZEN
Methodology
Chemiluminescence
Stability
Frozen 1 month
Reference Range
The reference range is determined by the performing laboratory and will show on the report.
Turnaround
2-4 days Performed Mon, Wed, Thurs
Clinical Use
Useful in the differential diagnosis of hypertension. Renin is suppressed in about 90% of patients with Conn’s syndrome (aldosteronism). Evaluation of the hypertensive patient with hypokalemia, hyperkaluria, low renin and high aldosterone. Most established use of the renin assay is for unilateral renal diseases. Certain patients with diabetes mellitus and hypertension have low renin, low aldosterone. One cause of hypokalemia, Bartter’s syndrome, has increased renin and aldosterone.
Test Code
RENIN