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What Does My Plasma Renin Activity Blood Test Report Indicate?

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Posted on Mon, 30 Mar 2015
Question: I recently had blood labs done due to a finding of bilateral masses on my adrenal glands. I had a CT as well as a MRI. Showed not cancer. I'm 60 year old female with high blood pressure which is 140/80 taking lisinopril-Hctz 20-12.5 and Amiodipine Besylate 5 mg . The lab in question is the Plasma Renin Activity Blood test.
The Renin plasma activity lc/ms/ms is high at 17.60 . The Aldo/PRA Is low at 0.5 ratio. The Aldostreone lc/ms/ms is normal at 8. Seems like a high level of renin. Does this matter in a ratio test . Please explain the results of this test.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
First a renovascular disease should be excluded.

Detailed Answer:
Hello! Thank you for asking on HCM!

Regarding your concern I would explain that Aldosterone/PRA ratio is low when any of 2 components is abnormal; in your case high PRA counts for the low ratio result. One of the very first explanation for this view is renovascular disease. But we should be careful that all the three antihypertensive drugs you are using do influence the results. It is very important to follow a scrupulous scheduled regimen when performing this test. A more complete background of your blood analysis and MRI & CT scan is needed to specify the disorder (including electrolytes, liver function tests, etc). Please send them if possible.

Greetings! Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
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Follow up: Dr. Ilir Sharka (2 hours later)
What tests are needed to exclude renovascular disease ? XXXXXXX Damsch
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (16 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Some points to emphasise.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again Deborah! There are some points to emphasise:
a) Renal artery stenosis can be studied by: (1) vascular ultrasound; (2) angio CT or angio MRI of the renal arteries; (3) renal arteries angiography.
b) Facing your lab test results seem you have subclinical hypothyroidism (high TSH, normal free T4); I recommend you to consult an endocrinologist.
c) I am interested to know the conclusions of CT and MRI already performed. What is the prescribed opinion about the adrenal glands. If tumor is excluded, then what are those masses?!!! Bilateral hyperplasia?!! Anything else?!!
d) As I mentioned before I still insist on Aldosterone/PRA ratio test procedure. Besides other specificities to be followed, many drugs interfere with the results; thus contributing to false conclusions. All three medications you use affect Aldosterone/ PRA ratio. Did you switch off the antihypertensive therapy before performing lab tests? Also hypothyroidism (even subclinical) do affect Aldosterone / PRA ratio.
e) The last thing I would like to mention is to check the reason of elevated alkalin phosphatase (exclude from different options).
Hope to have been helpful to you! Greetings! Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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Follow up: Dr. Ilir Sharka (4 hours later)
Hi, I have provided some attachments. Please review them.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (21 hours later)
Brief Answer:
There is need for imagine tests follow up.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again, dear Deborah! I reviewed you abdominal ultrasound and CT report.
(1) Regarding adrenal masses, seems that we have to do with the so called adrenal incidentalomas ( no adrenal hormonal alterations are confirmed by lab exams). There exists suspicion for adenomas, but many times CT scan or even MRI cannot differentiate precisely a specific etiology. When dealing with adrenal masses the main actions to perform are to exclude a primary adrenal cancer, or a metastatic development from elsewhere. From your performed exams there is a very low probability for a primary adrenal cancer. There isn't also any evidence of any primary tumors elsewhere in the abdomen (including bone structures and viscera, etc). If imagine exams do not conclude a final diagnosis many times a guided biopsy is helpful. Anyway, small mass dimensions and no hormonal alterations impose the need for follow ups with serial imagine tests (CT or MRI) to judge for changes in dimensions, or new appearing lesions.
(2) There exists concern about the elevated level of alkaline phosphatase. I recommend you to follow consequently the level of alkaline phosphatase and to exclude several reasons for elevated levels.
(3) Regarding that tiny hypo-density of the left kidney, it may be a banal cyst; no significant probability of renin-secreting tumor (as a high blood Aldosterone level would be evident as a consequence). Nevertheless, the same strategy would be recommendable as for the adrenal masses: to follow consequently any possible changes of these findings by using imagine tests (CT&/or MRI).
Hope to have been helpful to you. My Best Wishes!
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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Answered by
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Dr. Ilir Sharka

Cardiologist

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 9535 Questions

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What Does My Plasma Renin Activity Blood Test Report Indicate?

Brief Answer: First a renovascular disease should be excluded. Detailed Answer: Hello! Thank you for asking on HCM! Regarding your concern I would explain that Aldosterone/PRA ratio is low when any of 2 components is abnormal; in your case high PRA counts for the low ratio result. One of the very first explanation for this view is renovascular disease. But we should be careful that all the three antihypertensive drugs you are using do influence the results. It is very important to follow a scrupulous scheduled regimen when performing this test. A more complete background of your blood analysis and MRI & CT scan is needed to specify the disorder (including electrolytes, liver function tests, etc). Please send them if possible. Greetings! Dr. Iliri