Objective:To describe the intra-individual variation of plasma aldosterone concentration(PAC)and aldosterone to renin ratio(ARR),and to investigate the current situation where positive rate of primary aldosteronism(PA)is based on cut - off values guideline recommended. Methods:Eighty PA patients diagnosed in the Department of Endocrinology,the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from April 2017 to March 2021 who have 2~4 separated PAC and ARR results on different date were enrolled to calculate the intra-individual coefficient of variation(CV)and percentage difference of PAC and ARR. The percentage of PA patients with single average PAC and ARR below the recommended{PAC<10,15,20 ng/dL;ARR<20,25,30(ng/dL)[/ ng/(mL·h)]} were analyzed. Results:Totally 182 plasma rennin activity(PRA)and PAC measurements from 80 subjects were collected. CV of PAC and ARR was 19.74% and 26.11% respectively,the percentage difference was 41.78% and 52.22%. 35.0%,75.0%,93.7% subjects had at least one measurement of PAC lower than 10,15,20 ng/dL respectively;10.0%,37.5% and 72.6% subjects had at least twice PAC lower than 10,15,20 ng/dL respectively. 17.5%,26.3%,36.3% subjects had at least one ARR lower than 20,25,30(ng/dL)[/ ng/(mL·h)] respectively;5.0% ,6.3% ,6.3% subjects had at least twice ARR lower than 20,25,30(ng/dL)[/ ng/(mL · h)]respectively. Conclusion:The PAC and ARR in PA vary greatly in individuals on account of multiple factors. The proportion of single screening values below the positive cut - off values guideline recommended is relatively high,which may lead to false negative rate of PA screening. For suspected patients,screening repeatedly,recalibrating PA screening cut - off point and bringing wider PAC and ARR screening thresholds can improve PA diagnosis rates significantly.