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Test Directory

Catecholamines, Fractionated with Creatinine, 24 HR Urine

Order Code

24CATC

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 catecholamines is valuable in the diagnosis of the catecholamine secreting tumors associated chiefly with hypertension (pheochromocytomas, neuroblastomas, and gangliomas) and with the evaluation of orthostatic hypotension.

Aliases

  • Catecholamines, Free
  • Dopamine
  • Epinephrine
  • Adrenaline
  • Norepinephrine
  • 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. If no preservative is used, specimen must be stored refrigerated during collection but shipped frozen and pH must be < or = 6.


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-top vial

Transport Temperature

Ship frozen (ok to thaw)

Specimen Stability

  • Room temperature: unacceptable
  • Refrigerated: 30 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

24CATC

EPIC (Premier) Code

LAB3956

Includes

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

CPT Code

82384; 82570

Billing Code

671362;671363

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 validated pursuant to the CLIA regulations and is used for clinical purposes.

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

See Laboratory Report

Setup Schedule / Expected Turnaround Time

Monday - Saturday; Report available: 3 -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. If no preservative is used, specimen must be stored refrigerated during collection but shipped frozen and pH must be < or = 6.


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-top vial

Transport Temperature

Ship frozen (ok to thaw)

Specimen Stability

  • Room temperature: unacceptable
  • Refrigerated: 30 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; 82570

Billing Code

671362;671363

CPT Statement

Result Information

Methodology

Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry

Testing Laboratory

N/A

Reference Range

See Laboratory Report

Setup Schedule / Expected Turnaround Time

Monday - Saturday; Report available: 3 -4 days