Table 13:
Optional Testing in the Hypertensive Patient

Optional testing (selected patients)

  • Thyrotropin, T4 (patients suspected of having underlying thyroid disorder)
  • Plasma catecholamines, 24-hour urinary catecholamines
    (biochemical screen for pheochromocytoma, considered diagnostic if plasma >2,000 pg/mL and suspicious if >500 pg/mL).
  • Plasma cortisol or cosyntropin stimulation test
    (in patients suspected of having Cushing's disease)
  • Microalbuminuria or 24-hour-urine protein
    (patients with diabetes or proteinuria by urinalysis; patients suspected of having nephrotic syndrome)
  • Duplex ultrasound of renal vessels
    (patients suspected of having renal artery stenosis)
  • Echocardiogram
    (patients suspected of having cardiac involvement or target organ damage)
Copyright 2004 The Cleveland Clinic Foundation

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