Alberta Precision Laboratories

--- Query Results ---

Organization:

Alberta Precision Laboratories

Message Alert:

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Test Name/Synonym:

Catecholamines, Urine - Edmonton Zone

Alternate Test Name/Synonym:

epinephrine - Edmonton Zone
norepinephrine - Edmonton Zone
dopamine - Edmonton Zone
homovanillic acid - Edmonton Zone
Vanillylmandelic Acid - Edmonton Zone
HVA - Edmonton Zone
VMA - Edmonton Zone

Clinical Indications:

Metanephrines preferred as screening test for pheochromocytoma.

Primary Container:

24 hour urine, acid bottle (25 mL, 6 mol/L HCl) (NOT to be used for spot collections)

Specimen Collection Requirements:

See 24 Hour Urine Collection - Patient Instructions for detailed instructions.
Spot urine accepted on children; must be acidified to pH <3 or frozen within 4 hours of collection by the lab receiving the specimen.
pH must be adjusted to <3 (pH paper) within 4 hours of collection by drop wise addition of 6N HCl.

For three days before and during collection avoid drug products containing acetaminophen, ASA/salicylate, buspirone, cimetidine, codeine, isoproterenol, labetalol, L-dopa, mandelamine, MAO inhibitors (e.g. phenelzine, tranylcypromine), metoclopramide, methyldopa, and oxycodone. Patient's physician must be consulted about medication discontinuation.

During collection avoid bananas, caffeinated beverages, chocolate, vanilla, and peppers.

Processing:

Require 10 mL aliquot.
Test requires creatinine result for interpretation.
Please send additional 2 mL aliquot for creatinine testing.
Referred specimens - send refrigerated if received at UAH lab within 40 hours of collection, otherwise freeze.
If spot specimen and not acidified, freeze within 4 hours of collection and send frozen.

Testing Schedule:

Test performed within 2 weeks of receipt of sample.

Reference Interval:

Catecholamine Expected Values

Test
Normal Hypertensive without Pheochromocytoma Units

24H Adults (>18y) Epinephrine <71 <100 nmol/d

Norepinephrine <600 <900 nmol/d

Dopamine <2600 - nmol/d

VMA <36 <50 µmol/d

HVA <45 - µmol/d

24H < 18y 0 up to 1 y 1y up to 2y 2y up to 5y 5y up to 10y 10y up to 18y Units

Epinephrine <15 <21 <31 <31 <100 nmol/d

Norepinephrine <61 <100 <170 <300 <470 nmol/d

Dopamine <560 <910 <1700 <2600 <2600 nmol/d

Random < 18y 0 up to 1 y 1y up to 2y 2y up to 5y 5y up to 10y 10y up to 18y Units

Epinephrine <91 <61 <61 <61 <21 nmol/mmol creatinine

Norepinephrine <420 <200 <200 <200 <120 nmol/mmol creatinine

Dopamine <2300 <1500 <1000 <800 <600 nmol/mmol creatinine

VMA <16 <11 <8 <6 <5 µmol/mmol creatinine

HVA <23 <15 <15 <11 <8 µmol/mmol creatinine

Testing Area:

Toxicology

Performing Site:

University of Alberta Hospital

Last Updated On:

Thursday, April 7, 2022

Date of Last Review:

Jun 1 2016 12:00AM