Renin - SDL

Test Information

Name: Renin

Code: N0353-BI

Sample Type: EDTA plasma

Turnaround Time (TAT): 6 days

Preparation & Notes

1 EDTA plasma, frozen Centrifuge blood within 30 min. after sampling, freeze plasma, dispatch deep-frozen. Caution! Do not store EDTA plasma at 2 - 8 °C, do not cool sample before freezing, but quickly process at room temperature. Cryoactivation may lead to a production of active renin from prorenin (10 times higher plasma concentration than renin) and thus result in false high renin values. In the case of a suspected hyperaldosteronism, the aldosterone-renin ratio (ARR) should initially be determined in the blood. In preparation of blood sampling, patients must stop taking spironolactone, eplerenone, contraceptives containing drospirenone, triamterene and amiloride 4 weeks before the test as they have a lasting effect on the ARR. Liquorice and chewing tobacco should not be consumed in this period. The "permitted" antihypertensive agents include in particular peripheral alpha blockers (e.g. doxazosin) and non-dihydroperidine calcium antagonists (e.g. verapamil). In addition, the potassium levels should be normalised before each test and the patient should be requested to eat a balanced diet, in order to intake the right amount of salt. Information for sampling: Sampling should take place in the morning between 7 and 10 o' clock, about two hours after getting up, in sitting position after 10 to 15 minutes of rest. To avoid a haemolysis, centrifuge blood immediately after sampling, remove plasma with a pipette and freeze (approx. -20°C). Alternatively, the reference ranges are given for adults for blood sampling in recumbent position.