Salt Loading Test

This test is designed to confirm if you are producing too much aldosterone. The test is necessary because a previous screening test, the Aldosterone/PRA ratio test, suggests that you may be producing too much aldosterone.

1. Prior to the test, you have to pick up a container from your lab to collect urine for 24 h.
   • The test takes three days, but you will collect the urine only on the last day.
   • If you need to get bloodwork done, make sure you make an appointment for the day you are dropping your urine container on the day you finish the collection.
2. During these three days, you have to eat at least two heaped teaspoons of salt every day. Take an empty salt shaker, put the two teaspoons in it, and use it all, liberally, throughout the day. (You do not have to eat the salt by itself. You can eat it on top of other foods, like tomatoes, cucumbers, bread and butter, etc.)
3. On the third day, you start collecting urine for 24 h. You should also eat the allotted 2 teaspoons of salt that day.
4. Once the 24 hour urine collection is complete the next morning, you have to drop it at the lab the same day.