Homovanillic Acid (HVA), 24-Hour Urine without Creatinine

Test Code

530

CPT Codes
83150

Preferred Specimen

10 mL aliquot from 24-hour urine, preserved with 25 mL 6N HCl, collected in a plastic 24-hour 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.

Minimum Volume

5 mL

Instructions

10 mL urine - adjust a well-mixed urine sample with 6N HCl to maintain a pH below 3. Urine without preservative is acceptable if pH is below 6 and the sample is shipped frozen. Record 24-hour urine volume on test request form and urine vial

Transport Temperature

Room temperature

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: 10 days
Refrigerated: 14 days
Frozen: 90 days

Methodology
High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)

Setup Schedule

Set up: Tues, Sat; Report available: 2-3 days

Reference Range

3-8 years	0.5-6.7 mg/24 h
9-12 years	1.1-6.8 mg/24 h
13-17 years	1.4-7.2 mg/24 h
Adult	1.6-7.5 mg/24 h

Clinical Significance

Homovanillic acid (HVA) has been identified as the principal urinary metabolite of dopa and dopamine. HVA supports the diagnosis of neuroblastoma and malignant pheochromocytoma.

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.