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Homovanillic Acid, Random Urine (6346X)
Test CodeHVA-R
Quest Code
84855N
Alias/See Also
84855N, 6346X
CPT Codes
82570, 83150
Includes
Creatinine
Preferred Specimen
10 mL urine preserved with 6N HCl collected in a sterile screw-cap 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
Random urine or urine with no preservative 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
Unpreserved urine: Frozen
Specimen Stability
Room temperature: 7 days
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: 28 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
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, Fri; 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 Institute
33608 Ortega Highway
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92690-6130