Renin

Alternative names:

plasma renin activity; PRA; random plasma renin

Normal values:

1.9 to 3.7 ng/ml/hour

Note: ng/ml/hour = nanograms per milliliter per hour

What abnormal results mean:

Greater-than-normal levels may indicate:

• Addison's disease
• cirrhosis
• essential hypertension
• hemorrhage (bleeding)
• hypokalemia
• malignant hypertension
• renin-producing renal tumors (Bartter's syndrome)
• renovascular hypertension

Lower-than-normal levels may indicate:

• salt-retaining steroid therapy
• ADH therapy

Additional conditions under which the test may be performed:

• primary hyperaldosteronism