Homovanillic Acid (HVA), 24-Hour Urine with Creatinine

Test Code

39527

CPT Codes
82570, 83150

Includes

CPT code 81050 may be added at an additional charge for volume measurement

Preferred Specimen

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

Minimum Volume

5 mL

Other Acceptable Specimens

Aliquot from a 24-hour urine, unpreserved with a pH ≤6, collected in a plastic 24-hour urine container

Instructions

Collect 24-hour urine with 25 mL HCl to maintain a pH ≤3. If no preservative is used, specimen must be stored refrigerated during collection but shipped frozen and pH must be ≤6.
Record 24-hour urine volume and patient's age on test request form and on urine container.

Transport Temperature

Preserved urine: Room temperature
Unpreserved urine: Frozen

Specimen Stability

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

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

Preserved urine received refrigerated with pH >3 • Unpreserved urine received frozen with pH >6

Methodology
High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) • Electrochemical Detection

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

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

Reference Range

See Laboratory Report

Clinical Significance

Homovanillic acid (HVA, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenylacetic acid) has been identified as the principal urinary metabolite of dopa and dopamine. HVA is excreted in free form in relatively large amounts, and is frequently measured to support a diagnosis of neuroblastoma and malignant pheochromocytoma. HVA has been used to monitor chronic lead exposure and response to medication, during the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

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

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.