Better Blood Tests May Improve High Blood Pressure Diagnosis in Diabetics

What Was Studied and Why It Matters

Many people with diabetes also struggle with high blood pressure, which significantly raises the risk of heart disease, kidney damage, and stroke. One underdiagnosed cause of hard-to-control blood pressure is a condition called primary aldosteronism (PA) — where the adrenal glands produce too much of a hormone called aldosterone. Identifying PA matters because it can often be treated directly, rather than just managing blood pressure with more medications.

This study compared three different laboratory methods for measuring aldosterone in the blood, looking at which method gives the most accurate results for diagnosing primary aldosteronism.

What the Researchers Found

The research team tested 312 blood samples using three different methods:

• The old method (RIA) — a traditional lab technique that has been used for decades
• The newer method (CLEIA) — a more modern testing approach using a light-based detection system
• A gold-standard method (LC-MS/MS) — a highly precise laboratory technique often used to verify other tests

Their key findings were:

• The newer CLEIA method matched the gold-standard results much more closely than the old RIA method
• The old RIA method produced more false positives — meaning it incorrectly flagged healthy patients as potentially having primary aldosteronism
• The old method was also influenced by other hormones in the blood (called weak mineralocorticoids), which skewed its readings
• The newer CLEIA method was better at correctly identifying who actually has the condition and who does not

What This Means for Real Patients

If you have diabetes and your blood pressure has been difficult to control despite taking multiple medications, your doctor may consider testing for primary aldosteronism. This study suggests that where and how your blood is tested matters. Labs that have switched to the newer CLEIA testing method will likely give your doctor more reliable information to work with.

For patients managing diabetes day to day, accurate diagnosis of any contributing condition — like primary aldosteronism — can mean fewer medications, better blood pressure control, and reduced risk of complications. Keeping on top of your monitoring routine is equally important, and having reliable supplies on hand makes that easier. MDS Diabetes offers a wide range of diabetes management supplies to support your daily care.

If you're concerned about your blood pressure readings alongside your diabetes management, bring it up with your care team. Ask specifically whether primary aldosteronism has been considered, and whether your lab uses the newer testing method.

Bottom Line

A newer blood test method for measuring the hormone aldosterone is more accurate and produces fewer misleading results than the older approach. This matters because primary aldosteronism — a treatable hormonal cause of high blood pressure — is more common in people with diabetes than many realize. Better testing means better diagnosis and potentially better treatment outcomes for patients.