Renal stenosis

[Lyn2]

Thank you for your time.  I am a 35yr. old female. I have heart arrythmias, for which I have a pacemaker.  I take amiodarone, cartia, coumadin, lasix, and zaroxalyn.  I do have frequent episodes of edema.  I was recently sent to a nephrologist to evaluate for a pheo. That work-up seemed to have eliminated that as a possibility, but my doctor wants to do a renal angiogram because my renin level was 75.  He said he thinks it is fibromuscular dysplasia.  He said it could be the reason for the edema.  I asked about the possibility that the test was a false positive.  He didn't think it would be that high if it were due to meds. I was off some of them including the diuretics for a few days.  Now we are holding the meds. for a longer period of time, just in case.  If there was still remnants of the diuretic in my system, do you think it could have resulted in a high level.  I also didn't drink much the day before and wondered if it could be from dehydration.  Could the number be that high with dehydration?
I just don't want to rush in to something invasive because of one high level.  My blood pressure doesn't seem to be all that high, in fact I have been treated for hypotension with midodrine, which I am off at the moment.  Any thoughts would be helpful.

[Cleveland Clinic]

cn, thanks for the post.

typically peripheral renin levels are not helpful in diagnosing renal artery stenosis.  

From the limited information you posted, some of your features are atypical for renal artery stenosis. It usually should present with hypertension. Other features that suggest renal artery stenosis include persistent hypokalemia, metabolic alkalosis, symptoms or signs of peripheral vascular disease, unexplained progression of renal insufficiency, recurrent pulmonary edema, disparate renal size, and the presence of an epigastric bruit on physical examination.(the latter is directly from brenners text on nephrology)

Alot of drugs can effect renin levels including diuretics can effect renin levels.

hope this is a start

[dipugee]

My wife is 52 and has to take medication to keep her high blood pressure and high cholesterol in check. She also has fibromyalgia & Hashimoto's disease and takes medication for that as well. Last week her blood tests showed her having high testesterone, very low potassium and high renin. Her doctor has ordered ovarian and abdominal ultrasound exams. Any thoughts on what all this might mean?

Thanks