Homovanillic Acid, Random Urine (6346X)

Test Code

HVA-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

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: 7 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

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.