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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 # |
Catecholamines, Fractionated and VMA, 24-Hour Urine without Creatinine
Test CodeCPT Codes
82384, 84585
Includes
VMA (Vanillylmandelic Acid), 24-Hour Urine without Creatinine
CPT code 81050 may be added at an additional charge for volume measurement
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 (including use of nicotine patch), bananas, citrus fruits and strenuous exercise prior to collection.
Minimum Volume
Other Acceptable Specimens
Instructions
Record 24-hour urine volume and patient's age on test request form and on urine container.
Transport Temperature
Frozen
Specimen Stability
Room temperature: 7 days
Refrigerated: 14 days
Frozen: 49 days
Unpreserved urine
Room temperature: Unacceptable
Refrigerated: Unacceptable
Frozen: 30 days
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Methodology
See individual tests
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
Reference Range
Clinical Significance
This panel may aid in evaluating catecholamine-producing pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPGLs). However, measurements of plasma free or urinary fractionated metanephrines (ie, the O-methylated catecholamine metabolites) are preferred for the initial biochemical evaluation of PPGLs because of their overall high diagnostic sensitivity [1].
Most PPGLs secrete catecholamines and can cause catecholamine excess, resulting in hypertension, arrhythmia, and hyperglycemia. Left untreated, PPGLs often lead to life-threatening cardiovascular complications. The estimated prevalence of PPGLs is 0.05% to 0.1% in adults with hypertension and 1.7% in children with hypertension [2]. Recognizing the possibility of a PPGL and performing appropriate biochemical testing are crucial for the diagnosis [1]. Plasma or urine catecholamine levels may be used, in addition to metanephrine levels, to provide additional information during the initial biochemical evaluation of PPGLs (eg, when detecting dopamine-secreting paragangliomas) [2]. Urinary VMA level can be elevated in PPGLs as well as in neuroblastomas [3].
Intermittent or insignificant secretion of catecholamines by some PPGLs may not increase catecholamine measurements. Physiological stress and certain medications (eg, acetaminophen, labetalol, and sotalol) may increase catecholamine measurements [1].
This test is also available with creatinine (Catecholamines, Fractionated and VMA, 24-Hour Urine with Creatinine). Because daily urine excretion of creatinine generally shows minimal fluctuation, creatinine excretion is useful in determining whether 24-hour urine specimens for other analytes have been completely and accurately collected.
The results of this test should be interpreted in the context of pertinent clinical and family history and physical examination findings.
References
1. Lenders JW, et al. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2014;99(6):1915-1942.
2. National Comprehensive Cancer Network. NCCN clinical practice guidelines in oncology (NCCN Guidelines®). Neuroendocrine and Adrenal Tumors. V1.2022. Accessed June 28, 2022. http://www.nccn.org
3. Eisenhofer G. Monoamine-producing tumors. In: Rifai R, et al. eds. Tietz Textbook of Laboratory Medicine. 7th ed. Elsevier Inc; 2022.