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