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Renin, Plasma Renin Activity

Abbreviation: PRA

Panel: Hormone Tests · All hormones tests

Typical adult reference range

Conventional units0.5–4.0 ng/mL/h
SI units0.5–4.0 ng/mL/h

Ranges vary between laboratories and methods — compare your result with the range printed on your own report.

What a high or low result can mean

High renin, plasma renin activity: high values can be seen in sodium depletion, diuretic use, and renovascular disorders.

Low renin, plasma renin activity: low values may occur in primary aldosteronism and with beta-blocker use.

These are associations, not a diagnosis: the same result can have several causes, and your clinician interprets it with the rest of your results and history.

Good to know

Strongly affected by posture, salt intake, and medications; the range shown is for an upright sample.

◆ Kidney note

This test is closely tied to kidney health, and it is one a kidney specialist (nephrologist) watches closely. On this site, kidney-related results are a special focus: see the kidney and dialysis medicines in our Drug Guide and the kidney condition hubs for the wider picture.

Related tests — Hormone Tests

17-HydroxyprogesteroneAdrenocorticotropic HormoneAldosteroneAndrostenedioneAnti-Müllerian HormoneCalcitoninCortisol, MorningDehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate
Please note: Reference ranges vary between laboratories, and between the methods and instruments they use — the range printed on your own report is the one your result should be compared with. A result outside the range is not by itself a diagnosis, and a result inside it does not rule out illness. These pages are an educational summary, not medical advice: always discuss your results with the clinician who ordered them, who can interpret them in the context of your health and history.