intravenous salt loading test

Indications

• evaluation of hyperaldosteronism

Procedure

• infuse 2 liters of normal saline IV over 4 hours while the patient is supine
• measure plasma aldosterone, plasma renin, serum cortisol & serum potassium at 0 & 4 hours

Interpretation

• test confirms hyperaldosteronism if
  • plasma aldosterone > 10 ng/dL

More general terms

• salt loading test

Components

• aldosterone in serum/plasma
• renin in plasma
• cortisol in serum
• potassium (K+) in serum/plasma