Aldosterone/renin ratio 172.0..doctor's office says "normal"

[julid]

I recently had my aldosterone and renin checked. The results were: Aldosterone 17.2, Renin 0.1, Aldosterone/Renin Ratio 172.0.
For years I've had low potassium and taking a potassium prescription which gets me into 'normal' range (4.2).  When not on the prescription, I quickly fall out of 'normal' range.  I'm also taking 25mg daily of Spironolactone for elevated BP. My BP now runs pretty low (100's over 70's).
I don't know a lot about the Aldosterone/Renin Ratio, but did notice on the lab report that the results were flagged "high" and anything above 25 is suggestive of hyperaldosteronism.
Am I mis-understanding this or should I be seeking more info from my doctor on this?  
Thanks in advance for any help!

[rumpled]

I think - and this is only speculation - he ignored the ratio as your sodium and potassium were normal. My thinking for this is that renin and aldosterone control sodium and potassium, so I was thinking they would have to be somewhat off for the ratio to be off like that... so I find the ratio to be strange - I wonder how it is computed!

I have had a couple of friends that lose K for *no* reason and pass out from the same. Both of them were part of my Cushing's disease circle though - so they had high cortisol - but cycled (so did I) and also hit lows. My one friend hit really low and usually that is when her K would tank. The docs never figured it out. Even after her adrenals were removed, the K would tank, but after a while, she stabilized. It is super crazy!

In the health pages there is a link to a lab pages - it may help you?

[julid]

The test was done at my internist's office.  There were several fasting labs he ordered and my potassium was 4.2 (range 3.5-5.5) and sodium was 141 (range 133-148).

My doctor is out of town this week, but I'll probably call next week to give him a chance to explain test results to me before I see an endo.  

My doctor has tried to figure out the cause of low potassium, but hasn't been able too.  This is the first time he's ordered the Aldosterone/Renin Activity Ratio, so may we're on to something!  
Thanks for your input!

[rumpled]

What type of doctor did the test, and on that day, how were sodium and potassium?

I would take the results to an endo for a work up on the adrenals just to be certain... the low K should be looked at. It is rather odd that your BP runs so low from being high...