Test Details
Methodology
Liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS-MS)
Result Turnaround Time
4 - 7 days
Use
Work up neuroblastoma; diagnose pheochromocytoma. Pheochromocytomas and occasional paragangliomas may cause persistent or paroxysmal hypertension. Work up palpitation, severe headache, diaphoresis. Urine collections are preferred to blood sampling when there is suspicion for tumor (e.g., family history of MEA II) when hypertension is not paroxysmal. Evaluate for possible multiple endocrine adenomatosis type II.
Special Instructions
Include 24-hour total urine volume on the test request form and date and time collection started and finished. Note: If original container is received with pH >3, but <5, adjust pH to <3 with 6N HCl.
Specimen Requirements
Test Includes
Urinary epinephrine; urinary norepinephrine; urinary dopamine
Limitations
False-negatives and false-positives occur. Urine collections for metanephrines are among the best tests for pheochromocytoma.1 Sheps et al use urinary catecholamine fractionation as confirmation, following a metanephrine test.1 Neuroblastoma is better worked up with urinary collections for HVA and VMA. MHPG (3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethylene glycol) is a major metabolite of norepinephrine in the central nervous system; it is a metabolite of some neuroblastomas.3
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Labcorp. It has not been cleared or approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
Custom Additional Information
The expression “free” in free catecholamine fractionation means unconjugated. This assay is of most value for pheochromocytoma when specimen is collected during a hypertensive episode. Since a 24-hour urine collection represents a longer sampling time than a random, or symptom-directed serum sample, and because catecholamine secretion by pheochromocytomas is intermittent, the urine test may detect some cases missed by a blood level.
Specimen
Urine (24-hour)
Volume
30 mL aliquot
Minimum Volume
4 mL aliquot (Note: This volume does not allow for repeat testing.)
Container
Brown urine container with 30 mL 6N HCl preservative. Caution: Strong acid. May cause skin burns.
Storage Instructions
Refrigerate during and after collection.
Causes for Rejection
Specimen with no preservative; original container with pH >5
Collection Instructions
Instruct the patient to void at 8 a.m. and discard the specimen. Preservative must be added to the container prior to the start of collection. Then collect all urine including the final specimen voided at the end of the 24-hour collection period (i.e., 8 a.m. the next morning). Label container. Keep collection on ice. Measure and record total urine volume on the test request form. Remove 20 mL aliquot. pH should be <5.
Refer to the Preservative Quick Reference Chart in Specimen Collection: Urine Specimens.
Stability Requirements
Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
Room temperature | 3 days |
Refrigerated | 14 days |
Frozen | 30 days at -70°C |
Reference Range
Adults:
• Epinephrine:
− 0 to 9 years: 0−11 μg/24 hours
− 10 to 19 years: 0−18 μg/24 hours
− >19 years: 0−20 μg/24 hours
• Norepinephrine:
− 0 to 9 years: 0−59 μg/24 hours
− 10 to 19 years: 0−90 μg/24 hours
− >19 years: 0−135 μg/24 hours
• Dopamine:
− 0 to 9 years: 0−414 μg/24 hours
− 10 to 19 years: 0−575 μg/24 hours
− >19 years: 0−510 μg/24 hours
Footnotes
LOINC® Map
| Order Code | Order Code Name | Order Loinc | Result Code | Result Code Name | UofM | Result LOINC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 004176 | Catecholamines,Ur.,Free,24 Hr | 92938-0 | 004193 | Epinephrine, Urine | ug/L | 11046-0 |
| 004176 | Catecholamines,Ur.,Free,24 Hr | 92938-0 | 004194 | Epinephrine, U, 24hr | ug/24 hr | 2232-7 |
| 004176 | Catecholamines,Ur.,Free,24 Hr | 92938-0 | 004201 | Norepinephrine, Ur | ug/L | 2667-4 |
| 004176 | Catecholamines,Ur.,Free,24 Hr | 92938-0 | 004202 | Norepinephrine,U,24h | ug/24 hr | 2668-2 |
| 004176 | Catecholamines,Ur.,Free,24 Hr | 92938-0 | 004203 | Dopamine, Urine | ug/L | 2217-8 |
| 004176 | Catecholamines,Ur.,Free,24 Hr | 92938-0 | 004204 | Dopamine, Ur, 24hr | ug/24 hr | 2218-6 |
| Order Code | 004176 | |||||
| Order Code Name | Catecholamines,Ur.,Free,24 Hr | |||||
| Order Loinc | 92938-0 | |||||
| Result Code | 004193 | |||||
| Result Code Name | Epinephrine, Urine | |||||
| UofM | ug/L | |||||
| Result LOINC | 11046-0 | |||||
| Order Code | 004176 | |||||
| Order Code Name | Catecholamines,Ur.,Free,24 Hr | |||||
| Order Loinc | 92938-0 | |||||
| Result Code | 004194 | |||||
| Result Code Name | Epinephrine, U, 24hr | |||||
| UofM | ug/24 hr | |||||
| Result LOINC | 2232-7 | |||||
| Order Code | 004176 | |||||
| Order Code Name | Catecholamines,Ur.,Free,24 Hr | |||||
| Order Loinc | 92938-0 | |||||
| Result Code | 004201 | |||||
| Result Code Name | Norepinephrine, Ur | |||||
| UofM | ug/L | |||||
| Result LOINC | 2667-4 | |||||
| Order Code | 004176 | |||||
| Order Code Name | Catecholamines,Ur.,Free,24 Hr | |||||
| Order Loinc | 92938-0 | |||||
| Result Code | 004202 | |||||
| Result Code Name | Norepinephrine,U,24h | |||||
| UofM | ug/24 hr | |||||
| Result LOINC | 2668-2 | |||||
| Order Code | 004176 | |||||
| Order Code Name | Catecholamines,Ur.,Free,24 Hr | |||||
| Order Loinc | 92938-0 | |||||
| Result Code | 004203 | |||||
| Result Code Name | Dopamine, Urine | |||||
| UofM | ug/L | |||||
| Result LOINC | 2217-8 | |||||
| Order Code | 004176 | |||||
| Order Code Name | Catecholamines,Ur.,Free,24 Hr | |||||
| Order Loinc | 92938-0 | |||||
| Result Code | 004204 | |||||
| Result Code Name | Dopamine, Ur, 24hr | |||||
| UofM | ug/24 hr | |||||
| Result LOINC | 2218-6 |