A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z #

Homovanillic Acid, Random Urine

Test Code
HVAUR


Alias/See Also

LAB401



CPT Codes
<p>82570, 83150</p>

Includes
Creatinine


Preferred Specimen

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.


Specimen Type: Urine


Collection Container/Type


Preferred: Sterile container (Random preserved: 6N HCl)


Acceptable: Sterile container (Random unpreserved)


Submission Container/Tube: Sterile container


Specimen Volume: 10 mL


Collection Instructions: 



  1. After urine collection, add 6N HCl to maintain a pH below 3.

  2. Urine without preservative is acceptable if pH is below 6 and the sample is shipped frozen.



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.

Minimum Volume

0.5 mL



Other Acceptable Specimens
Random urine, unpreserved, collected in a sterile screw-cap container


Instructions
After urine collection, add 6N HCl to maintain a pH below 3. Urine without preservative is acceptable if pH is below 6 and the sample is shipped frozen.


Transport Temperature
Preserved urine: Room temperature
Unpreserved urine: Frozen


Specimen Stability

Room temperature: 7 days


Refrigerated: 7 days


Frozen: 28 days



Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

pH >3.0 and received unfrozen



Methodology

High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) • Electrochemical Detection

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 CLIA regulations and is used for clinical purposes.



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 CLIA regulations and is used for clinical purposes.

Setup Schedule
Tuesday-Friday Morning
Report available: 4 Days


Report Available

3-7 days



Reference Range
See Laboratory Report


Clinical Significance
HVA (Homovanillic Acid) is a metabolite of the biogenic amine, Dopamine. Monitoring of HVA levels is useful in confirming Parkinsonism, monitoring therapeutic responses to L-DOPA treatment, and in combination with VMA determinations, diagnosing persons afflicted with neuroblastoma, pheochromocytoma or other "neural crest" tumors.


Performing Laboratory

Quest Diagnostics Nichols Inst San Juan Capistrano
33608 Ortega Highway
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92690-6130




Last Updated: February 17, 2023


The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.