Catecholamines, fractionated, urine, 24 hour

Message

Sendout, Mayo test code: CATU

Test Code

LAB373

Alias/See Also

Dopamine
Epinephrine
Adrenaline
Noradrenaline
Norep
CATU

CPT Codes
82384

Includes

Epinephine, norepinephrine, and dopamine

Preferred Specimen

24-hour urine collected in 25 mL 50% acetic acid. Record 24-hour volume and send a 50 mL aliquot. Send refrigerated.

Patient Preparation
1. Discontinue drugs that release or hinder metabolism of epinephrine, norepinephrine, or dopamine for at least 1 week before specimen collection (see Cautions for details). If this is not possible for medical reasons, contact the laboratory to discuss whether a shorter drug-withdrawal period may be acceptable.
2. Unless the reason for testing is drug monitoring, discontinue any epinephrine, norepinephrine, or dopamine injections or infusions for at least 12 hours before specimen collection.

Minimum Volume

1.5 mL

Instructions

LAB: Provide patient with 24-hour collection container and inform patient that it must be refrigerated at all times. Once collection is completed and 24 hour container is received by lab, add 25 mL of 50% acetic acid to container. Use 25 mL of 50% acetic acid for children less than 5 years old. After collection, mix well and record total 24-hour volume. Send 50 mL aliquot.

Transport Container

Plastic vial

Transport Temperature

Refrigeratd

Specimen Stability

Refrigerated (preferred) 7 days
Frozen 14 days
Ambient 7 days

Methodology
High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)

FDA Status
Approved

Setup Schedule

Monday through Saturday

Report Available

2-4 days

Limitations

Many alterations in physiologic and pathologic states can profoundly affect catecholamine concentrations.

Any environmental factors that may increase endogenous catecholamine production should be avoided. These include noise, stress, discomfort, body position, and the consumption of food, caffeinated beverages, and nicotine. Caffeine and nicotine effects are short term, a few minutes to hours only.

Reference Range

Included with report

Clinical Significance

An auxiliary test to fractionated plasma and urine metanephrine measurements in the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma.
An auxiliary test to urine vanillylmandelic acid and homovanillic acid determination in the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with neuroblastoma and related tumors.
This test is not useful as a first-line test for pheochromocytoma.

Performing Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories, Rochester, Minnesota

Additional Information
Catecholamine Fractionation, Free, 24 Hour, Urine

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.