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Test Directory

Catecholamines, Fraction, 24 HR without Creatinine

Order Code

24CATU

Test Summary

The three catecholamines (norepinephrine, epinephrine, and dopamine) are the principal secretory products of neural tissue. Clinically, the measurement of circulating catecholamines is valuable in the diagnosis of catecholamine secreting tumors associated chiefly with hypertension (pheochromocytomas, neuroblastomas, and gangliomas) and with the evaluation of orthostatic hypertension.

Aliases

  • Catecholamines, Free
  • Adrenaline
  • Noradrenaline

Specimen Collection

Special Instructions

N/A

Preferred Specimen

Collect 24 hour urine with 25 mL 6N HCL to maintain a pH < or = 3.

Minimum Volume

0.7 mL

Instructions

Collect 24 hour urine with 25 mL 6N HCL to maintain a pH < or = 3.


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, and strenuous exercise prior to collection.

Storage

Plastic screw-cap vial

Transport Temperature

Ship frozen (okay to thaw)

Specimen Stability

Preserved Urine:

  • Room temperature: unacceptable
  • Refrigerated: 30 days
  • Frozen: 60 days

Unpreserved Urine:

  • Room temperature: unacceptable
  • Refrigerated: 7 days
  • Frozen 60 days

Limitations

N/A

Other Acceptable Specimens

If no preservative is used, specimen must be stored refrigerated during collection but shipped frozen and pH must be < or = 6.

Unacceptable Specimens

  • Preserved urine received refrigerated with pH > 3 
  • Unpreserved urine received frozen with pH > 6

Order Code

24CATU

EPIC (Premier) Code

LAB088

Includes

  • Epinephrine
  • Norepinephrine
  • Calculated Total (E + NE)
  • Dopamine

CPT Code

82384

Billing Code

671364

CPT Statement

Methodology

Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry

FDA Status

This test was developed and its analytical performance characteristics have been determined by Quest Diagnostics. It has not been cleared or approved by FDA. This assay has been validated pursuant to the CLIAA regulations and is used for clinical purpose.

Physician Attestation of Informed Consent

N/A

Testing Laboratory

Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute
33608 Ortega Highway
San Juan Capistrano CA, 92675

Department

Reference Testing

Reference Range

Epinephrine, 24 Hr Urine: 
Pediatric     Not Established
Adults          < or = 24mcg/24h

Norepinephrine, 24 Hr Urine:
Pediatric      Not Established
Adults         < or =100 mcg/24h

Calculated Total (E+NE):
Pediatric      Not Established
Adults          26 - 121 mcg/24h

Dopamine, 24 Hr Urine:
Pediatric       Not Established
Adults           52 - 480 mcg/24h

Setup Schedule / Expected Turnaround Time

Monday - Saturday; Report Available: 2 - 4 days

Specimen Collection

Special Instructions

N/A

Preferred Specimen

Collect 24 hour urine with 25 mL 6N HCL to maintain a pH < or = 3.

Minimum Volume

0.7 mL

Instructions

Collect 24 hour urine with 25 mL 6N HCL to maintain a pH < or = 3.


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, and strenuous exercise prior to collection.

Storage

Plastic screw-cap vial

Transport Temperature

Ship frozen (okay to thaw)

Specimen Stability

Preserved Urine:

  • Room temperature: unacceptable
  • Refrigerated: 30 days
  • Frozen: 60 days

Unpreserved Urine:

  • Room temperature: unacceptable
  • Refrigerated: 7 days
  • Frozen 60 days

Limitations

N/A

Other Acceptable Specimens

If no preservative is used, specimen must be stored refrigerated during collection but shipped frozen and pH must be < or = 6.

Unacceptable Specimens

  • Preserved urine received refrigerated with pH > 3 
  • Unpreserved urine received frozen with pH > 6

Billing

CPT Code

82384

Billing Code

671364

CPT Statement

Result Information

Methodology

Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry

Testing Laboratory

N/A

Reference Range

Epinephrine, 24 Hr Urine: 
Pediatric     Not Established
Adults          < or = 24mcg/24h

Norepinephrine, 24 Hr Urine:
Pediatric      Not Established
Adults         < or =100 mcg/24h

Calculated Total (E+NE):
Pediatric      Not Established
Adults          26 - 121 mcg/24h

Dopamine, 24 Hr Urine:
Pediatric       Not Established
Adults           52 - 480 mcg/24h

Setup Schedule / Expected Turnaround Time

Monday - Saturday; Report Available: 2 - 4 days