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Test Directory Catecholamines, Fractionated, 24-Hour Urine (without Creatinine)

Catecholamines, Fractionated, 24-Hour Urine (without Creatinine)

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
hypotension.

Aliases

Epinephrine, Urine
Fractionated Catecholamines, Urine
Noradrenaline, Urine

Specimen Collection

Special Instructions

N/A

Preferred Specimen

10 mL of a 24-hour random urine with 25 mL 6N HCl, submitted in a plastic, 24-hour urine container

Minimum Volume

5 mL

Instructions

Collect 24-hour urine with 25 mL 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.

Patient Preparation

It is preferable for the patient to be off medications for a minimum of 18-24 hours prior to collection. However, common antihypertensives (diuretics, ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, alpha and beta blockers) may cause minimal or no interference.
Patient should avoid tobacco, tea, coffee, and strenuous exercise for 8-12 hours prior to collection.

Storage

N/A

Transport Temperature

Room temperature

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: 7 days
Refrigerated: 30 days
Frozen: 49 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

Urine aliquot from a 24-hour urine (unpreserved), with pH ≤6, collected in a plastic, 24-hour urine container

Unacceptable Specimens

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

Order Code

24UCAT

EPIC (Premier) Code

LAB088

Includes

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

CPT code 81050 may be added at an additional charge for volume measurement

CPT Code

82384

Billing Code

670499

CPT Statement

Methodology

High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)

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 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The FDA has determined that such clearance or approval is not necessary. This assay has 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
14225 Newbrook Drive
Chantilly VA, 20153

Department

Reference Testing

Reference Range

Epinephrine, 24 hr Urine

3-8 Years	1-7 mcg/24 h
9-12 Years	≤8 mcg/24 h
13-17 Years	≤11 mcg/24 h
>17 Years	2-24 mcg/24 h

Norepinephrine, 24 hr Urine

3-8 Years	5-41 mcg/24 h
9-12 Years	5-50 mcg/24 h
13-17 Years	12-88 mcg/24 h
>17 Years	15-100 mcg/24 h

Calculated Total (E + NE)

3-8 Years	9-51 mcg/24 h
9-12 Years	9-71 mcg/24 h
13-17 Years	13-90 mcg/24 h
>17 Years	26-121 mcg/24 h

Dopamine, 24 hr Urine

3-8 Years	80-378 mcg/24 h
9-12 Years	51-474 mcg/24 h
13-17 Years	51-645 mcg/24 h
>17 Years	52-480 mcg/24 h

Setup Schedule / Expected Turnaround Time

Monday - Saturday; Report available: 2 - 4 days