Catecholamines, Fractionated, 24-Hour Urine with 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
- N/A
Specimen Collection
Special Instructions
N/A
Preferred Specimen
10 mL aliquot from 24-hour urine preserved with 25 mL 6N HCl, collected in plastic 24-hour urine container
Minimum Volume
5 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. 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 and strenuous exercise prior to collection.
Storage
N/A
Transport Temperature
Preserved urine: Room temperature
Unpreserved urine: Frozen
Unpreserved urine: Frozen
Specimen Stability
- Preserved
- Room temperature: 7 days
- Refrigerated: 30 days
- Frozen: 49 days
- Unpreserved
- 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
10 mL aliquot from 24-hour urine, unpreserved, with pH < or = 6, collected in plastic 24-hour urine container
Unacceptable Specimens
Preserved urine received refrigerated with pH >3 • Unpreserved urine received frozen with pH >6
Order Code
CAT24U
EPIC (Premier) Code
LAB3956
Includes
Creatinine, Norepinephrine, Epinephrine, Dopamine, and Total Catecholamines (calculated)
CPT code 81050 may be added at an additional charge for volume measurement
CPT code 81050 may be added at an additional charge for volume measurement
CPT Code
- 82384
- 82570
Billing Code
- 670625
- 670626
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
14225 Newbrook Drive
Chantilly VA, 20153
Department
Reference Testing
Reference Range
See Laboratory Report
Setup Schedule / Expected Turnaround Time
Monday - Saturday morning; Report available: 3 days
Specimen Collection
Special Instructions
N/A
Preferred Specimen
10 mL aliquot from 24-hour urine preserved with 25 mL 6N HCl, collected in plastic 24-hour urine container
Minimum Volume
5 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. 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 and strenuous exercise prior to collection.
Storage
N/A
Transport Temperature
Preserved urine: Room temperature
Unpreserved urine: Frozen
Unpreserved urine: Frozen
Specimen Stability
- Preserved
- Room temperature: 7 days
- Refrigerated: 30 days
- Frozen: 49 days
- Unpreserved
- 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
10 mL aliquot from 24-hour urine, unpreserved, with pH < or = 6, collected in plastic 24-hour urine container
Unacceptable Specimens
Preserved urine received refrigerated with pH >3 • Unpreserved urine received frozen with pH >6
Result Information
Methodology
High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)
Testing Laboratory
N/A
Reference Range
See Laboratory Report
Setup Schedule / Expected Turnaround Time
Monday - Saturday morning; Report available: 3 days