ARUP's Laboratory Test Directory

Renin Activity : 0070105

Mnemonic: RENIN

Methodology: Quantitative Radioimmunoassay
Performed: Sun-Sat
Reported: 1-2 days
Specimen Required: Patient Prep: Supine: 1. Specimen should be obtained between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. (after at least two hours in supine position); 2. Normal sodium diet (100-200 mEq/day) for at least three days; 3. Take no medications known to affect renin-aldosterone system.
Upright: 1. Specimen should be obtained before noon (after at least two hours in upright position; seated or standing); 2. Normal sodium diet (100-200 mEq/day) for at least three days; 3. Take no medications known to affect renin-aldosterone system.
Contact Medical Director if more information is needed.

Collect: Lavender (EDTA) or pink (K2EDTA). Do not collect in refrigerated tubes.

Specimen Preparation: Separate plasma from cells. Transfer 2 mL plasma to an ARUP Standard Transport Tube and freeze immediately. (Min: 1.2 mL)

Storage/Transport Temperature: CRITICAL FROZEN. Separate specimens must be submitted when multiple tests are ordered.

Unacceptable Conditions: Serum. Specimens collected in citrate, heparin, or oxalate. Hemolyzed or refrigerated specimens.

Stability (collection to initiation of testing): After separation from cells: Ambient: 6 hours; Refrigerated: Unacceptable; Frozen: 1 month
Reference Interval:
 
Adult, normal sodium diet Children, normal sodium diet, supine:  Children, normal sodium diet, upright: 
Supine: 0.2-1.6 ng/mL/hr Newborn (1-7 days): 2.0-35.0 ng/mL/hr 0-3 years: Not Available
Upright: 0.5-4.0 ng/mL/hr Cord blood: 4.0-32.0 ng/mL/hr 4-5 years: Less than or equal to 15 ng/mL/hr
 1-12 months: 2.4-37.0 ng/mL/hr 6-10 years: Less than or equal to 17 ng/mL/hr
 13 months-3 years:1.7-11.2 ng/mL/hr 11-15 years: Less than or equal to 16 ng/mL/hr
 4-5 years:1.0-6.5 ng/mL/hr  
 6-10 years: 0.5-5.9 ng/mL/hr  
 11-15 years: 0.5-3.3 ng/mL/hr  
Interpretive Data: Plasma renin activity measures enzyme ability to convert angiotensinogen to angiotensin I and is limited by the availability of angiotensinogen.  Plasma renin activity is not an accurate indicator of enzyme activity when angiotensinogen is decreased.
CPT Code(s): 84244
Cross References: Plasma Renin Activity (Renin Activity)