| 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, 24-Hour Urine (without Creatinine)
MessageFor Specimen Integrity during Extreme Weather see the “Lockbox Usage in Extreme Weather” document at the top of this page.
Test Code
24UCAT
Alias/See Also
318;
Epinephrine, Urine;
Fractionated Catecholamines, Urine;
Noradrenaline, Urine
Epinephrine, Urine;
Fractionated Catecholamines, Urine;
Noradrenaline, Urine
CPT Codes
82384
Includes
Epinephrine, Norepinephrine, Calculated Total (E+NE), Dopamine
CPT code 81050 may be added at an additional charge for volume measurement
CPT code 81050 may be added at an additional charge for volume measurement
Preferred Specimen
1 mL preserved 24-hour urine 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 a minimum of 18-24 hours prior to collection. However, common antihypertensives (diuretics, ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, alpha and beta blockers) may cause minimal or no interference.
Patient should avoid tobacco, tea, coffee, and strenuous exercise for 8-12 hours prior to collection.
Minimum Volume
0.7 mL
Other Acceptable Specimens
Unpreserved 24-hour urine with pH ≤6
Instructions
Collect 24-hour urine with 25 mL 6N 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.
Record 24-hour urine volume and patient's age on test request form and on urine container.
Transport Temperature
Room temperature
Specimen Stability
Room temperature: 7 days
Refrigerated: 30 days
Frozen: 49 days
Refrigerated: 30 days
Frozen: 49 days
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Preserved urine received refrigerated with pH >3 • Unpreserved urine received frozen with pH >6
Methodology
Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS)
Setup Schedule
Set up: Mon-Sat; Report available: 3-5 days
Limitations
Recent surgery, traumatic injury, upright posture, cold, anxiety, pain, clonidine withdrawal, and concurrent acute or chronic illness may produce elevated results.
Clinical Significance
The three catecholamines (norepinephrine, epinephrine and
dopamine) are the principal secretory products of neural
tissue. Clinically, the measurement of circulating
catecholamines is valuable in the diagnosis of
catecholamine secreting tumors associated chiefly with
hypertension (pheochromocytomas, neuroblastomas and
gangliomas) and with the evaluation of orthostatic
hypotension.
dopamine) are the principal secretory products of neural
tissue. Clinically, the measurement of circulating
catecholamines is valuable in the diagnosis of
catecholamine secreting tumors associated chiefly with
hypertension (pheochromocytomas, neuroblastomas and
gangliomas) and with the evaluation of orthostatic
hypotension.
Performing Laboratory
| Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute-San Juan Capistrano, CA |
| 33608 Ortega Highway |
| San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675-2042 |
