Plasma Renin

What is Renin?
Renin is an enzyme made and produced from the kidneys. Renin undergoes a series of biochemical pathways and works in conjunction with a hormone called aldosterone (made by the adrenal glands) including other substances that regulates the sodium and potassium levels in the blood and fluid levels in the body thereby affecting blood pressure. 

Primary aldosteronism (Conn syndrome) is characterized by increased production of aldosterone by the adrenal glands, usually by a benign tumor in one or more of the glands. This abnormal increase in the aldosterone levels causes greater reabsorption of sodium (salt) leading to significant loss of potassium by the kidneys, often overall resulting in an electrolyte imbalance. Increased blood pressure, headache, and muscle weakness (due to low potassium levels) are among the most common signs and symptoms of primary aldoesteronism.

Secondary aldosteronism is caused by anything that leads to excess aldosterone, other than a disorder of the adrenal glands. This condition is more common than primary aldosteronism and are caused by conditions that decrease blood flow to the kidneys, decrease blood pressure or those that causes decreased sodium in the blood. Secondary aldosteronism can also be found in cases of dehydration, congestive heart failure, liver cirrhosis, kidney disease and pre-eclampsia. 

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