Catecholamines, Fractionated and VMA, 24-Hour Urine with Creatinine
Order Code: CATFVM
Test Summary
Catecholamines include the hormones epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine. Catecholamines, along with VMA, are produced in chromaffin cell tumors, pheochromocytoma, ganglioneuroma, and neuroblastoma. Symptoms of pheochromocytomas include episodic hypertension, headaches, sweating, heart palpitations, and anxiety.
Aliases
- N/A
Specimen Collection
Special Instructions
N/A
Preferred Specimen
11 mL aliquot from a 24-hour urine that has been preserved with 25 mL 6N HCl, collected in a plastic 24-hour urine container
Minimum Volume
10 mL
Instructions
Collect 24-hour urine with 25 mL of 6N HCl to maintain a pH ≤3. If no preservative is used, specimen must be stored refrigerated during collection but shipped frozen and pH must be ≤6.
Record 24-hour urine volume and patient's age on test request form and on urine container.
Record 24-hour urine volume and patient's age on test request form and on urine container.
Patient Preparation
It is preferable for the patient to be off medications for three days prior to collection. However, common antihypertensives (diuretics, ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, alpha and beta blockers) cause minimal or no interference. Patient should avoid alcohol, coffee, tea, tobacco (including use of nicotine patch), bananas, citrus fruits and strenuous exercise prior to collection.
Storage
N/A
Transport Temperature
Frozen
Specimen Stability
- Preserved urine
- Room temperature: 7 days
- Refrigerated: 14 days
- Frozen: 49 days
- Unpreserved urine
- Room temperature: Unacceptable
- Refrigerated: Unacceptable
- Frozen: 30 days
Limitations
Recent surgery, traumatic injury, upright posture, cold, anxiety, pain, clonidine withdrawal, and concurrent acute or chronic illness may produce elevated results.
Other Acceptable Specimens
Aliquot from a 24-hour urine, unpreserved with a pH ≤6, collected in a plastic 24-hour urine container
Unacceptable Specimens
N/A
Order Code
CATFVM
EPIC (Premier) Code
LAB3955
Includes
Catecholamines, Fractionated, 24-Hour Urine with Creatinine
VMA (Vanillylmandelic Acid), 24-Hour Urine with Creatinine
CPT
VMA (Vanillylmandelic Acid), 24-Hour Urine with Creatinine
CPT
CPT Code
- 82570 (x2)
Billing Code
- 670629
- 670930
- 670631
CPT Statement
Methodology
Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry • High Performance Liquid Chromatography
FDA Status
FDA Approved
Physician Attestation of Informed Consent
N/A
Testing Laboratory
Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute
33608 Ortega Highway
San Juan Capistrano CA, 92675
33608 Ortega Highway
San Juan Capistrano CA, 92675
Department
Reference Testing
Reference Range
See Laboratory Report
Setup Schedule / Expected Turnaround Time
Monday - Saturday; Report available 2 - 4 days
Specimen Collection
Special Instructions
N/A
Preferred Specimen
11 mL aliquot from a 24-hour urine that has been preserved with 25 mL 6N HCl, collected in a plastic 24-hour urine container
Minimum Volume
10 mL
Instructions
Collect 24-hour urine with 25 mL of 6N HCl to maintain a pH ≤3. If no preservative is used, specimen must be stored refrigerated during collection but shipped frozen and pH must be ≤6.
Record 24-hour urine volume and patient's age on test request form and on urine container.
Record 24-hour urine volume and patient's age on test request form and on urine container.
Patient Preparation
It is preferable for the patient to be off medications for three days prior to collection. However, common antihypertensives (diuretics, ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, alpha and beta blockers) cause minimal or no interference. Patient should avoid alcohol, coffee, tea, tobacco (including use of nicotine patch), bananas, citrus fruits and strenuous exercise prior to collection.
Storage
N/A
Transport Temperature
Frozen
Specimen Stability
- Preserved urine
- Room temperature: 7 days
- Refrigerated: 14 days
- Frozen: 49 days
- Unpreserved urine
- Room temperature: Unacceptable
- Refrigerated: Unacceptable
- Frozen: 30 days
Limitations
Recent surgery, traumatic injury, upright posture, cold, anxiety, pain, clonidine withdrawal, and concurrent acute or chronic illness may produce elevated results.
Other Acceptable Specimens
Aliquot from a 24-hour urine, unpreserved with a pH ≤6, collected in a plastic 24-hour urine container
Unacceptable Specimens
N/A
Result Information
Methodology
Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry • High Performance Liquid Chromatography
Testing Laboratory
N/A
Reference Range
See Laboratory Report
Setup Schedule / Expected Turnaround Time
Monday - Saturday; Report available 2 - 4 days