Test Details
Methodology
Liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS-MS)
Result Turnaround Time
6 - 9 days
Turnaround time is defined as the usual number of days from the date of pickup of a specimen for testing to when the result is released to the ordering provider. In some cases, additional time should be allowed for additional confirmatory or additional reflex tests. Testing schedules may vary.
Test Includes
Total free catecholamines (norepinephrine plus epinephrine, urine); vanillylmandelic acid (VMA), urine; urinary epinephrine, urinary norepinephrine, urinary dopamine
Use
Collection is of greatest value for evaluation of hypertension if performed during a hypertensive episode. Test is used to evaluate hypertension, especially if paroxysmal and to evaluate orthostatic hypertension. Test is also useful in the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma and in the diagnosis and follow-up of neuroblastoma and ganglioneuroblastoma, retinoblastomas, carcinoid tumors, carotid body tumors, and stress. Preoperative evaluation of neoplasia of childhood, especially when the tumor is in or about the adrenals. Evaluate multiple endocrine adenomatosis. Evaluate patient with medullary carcinoma of thyroid (for coexistent pheochromocytoma).
Special Instructions
Include 24-hour total urine volume on the test request form and the 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
Specimen
Urine (24-hour)
Volume
60 mL aliquot
Container
Plastic urine container with 30 mL 6N HCl. Caution: Strong acid. LabCorp item number for this container is N° 21584.
Collection Instructions
Preservative must be added to the container prior to the start of collection. Collect 24-hour urine. Mix well. Send 60 mL aliquot. Record total 24-hour urine volume on test request form. Final pH must be <5. Note: Do not use boric acid or acetic acid as a preservative.
Refer to the Preservative Quick Reference Chart in Specimen Collection: Urine Specimens.
Storage Instructions
Refrigerate
Patient Preparation
Causes for Rejection
Specimen with no preservatives; original container with pH >5; boric acid or acetic acid used as a preservative
LOINC® Map
| Order Code | Order Code Name | Order Loinc | Result Code | Result Code Name | UofM | Result LOINC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 286161 | Catecholamine+VMA, 24-Hr Urine | 004144 | VMA, Urine | mg/L | 9624-8 | |
| 286161 | Catecholamine+VMA, 24-Hr Urine | 004145 | VMA, Urine, 24hr | mg/24 hr | 3122-9 | |
| 286161 | Catecholamine+VMA, 24-Hr Urine | 004193 | Epinephrine, Urine | ug/L | 11046-0 | |
| 286161 | Catecholamine+VMA, 24-Hr Urine | 004194 | Epinephrine, U, 24hr | ug/24 hr | 2232-7 | |
| 286161 | Catecholamine+VMA, 24-Hr Urine | 004201 | Norepinephrine, Ur | ug/L | 2667-4 | |
| 286161 | Catecholamine+VMA, 24-Hr Urine | 004202 | Norepinephrine,U,24h | ug/24 hr | 2668-2 | |
| 286161 | Catecholamine+VMA, 24-Hr Urine | 004203 | Dopamine, Urine | ug/L | 2217-8 | |
| 286161 | Catecholamine+VMA, 24-Hr Urine | 004204 | Dopamine, Ur, 24hr | ug/24 hr | 2218-6 | |
| Order Code | 286161 | |||||
| Order Code Name | Catecholamine+VMA, 24-Hr Urine | |||||
| Order Loinc | ||||||
| Result Code | 004144 | |||||
| Result Code Name | VMA, Urine | |||||
| UofM | mg/L | |||||
| Result LOINC | 9624-8 | |||||
| Order Code | 286161 | |||||
| Order Code Name | Catecholamine+VMA, 24-Hr Urine | |||||
| Order Loinc | ||||||
| Result Code | 004145 | |||||
| Result Code Name | VMA, Urine, 24hr | |||||
| UofM | mg/24 hr | |||||
| Result LOINC | 3122-9 | |||||
| Order Code | 286161 | |||||
| Order Code Name | Catecholamine+VMA, 24-Hr Urine | |||||
| Order Loinc | ||||||
| Result Code | 004193 | |||||
| Result Code Name | Epinephrine, Urine | |||||
| UofM | ug/L | |||||
| Result LOINC | 11046-0 | |||||
| Order Code | 286161 | |||||
| Order Code Name | Catecholamine+VMA, 24-Hr Urine | |||||
| Order Loinc | ||||||
| Result Code | 004194 | |||||
| Result Code Name | Epinephrine, U, 24hr | |||||
| UofM | ug/24 hr | |||||
| Result LOINC | 2232-7 | |||||
| Order Code | 286161 | |||||
| Order Code Name | Catecholamine+VMA, 24-Hr Urine | |||||
| Order Loinc | ||||||
| Result Code | 004201 | |||||
| Result Code Name | Norepinephrine, Ur | |||||
| UofM | ug/L | |||||
| Result LOINC | 2667-4 | |||||
| Order Code | 286161 | |||||
| Order Code Name | Catecholamine+VMA, 24-Hr Urine | |||||
| Order Loinc | ||||||
| Result Code | 004202 | |||||
| Result Code Name | Norepinephrine,U,24h | |||||
| UofM | ug/24 hr | |||||
| Result LOINC | 2668-2 | |||||
| Order Code | 286161 | |||||
| Order Code Name | Catecholamine+VMA, 24-Hr Urine | |||||
| Order Loinc | ||||||
| Result Code | 004203 | |||||
| Result Code Name | Dopamine, Urine | |||||
| UofM | ug/L | |||||
| Result LOINC | 2217-8 | |||||
| Order Code | 286161 | |||||
| Order Code Name | Catecholamine+VMA, 24-Hr Urine | |||||
| Order Loinc | ||||||
| Result Code | 004204 | |||||
| Result Code Name | Dopamine, Ur, 24hr | |||||
| UofM | ug/24 hr | |||||
| Result LOINC | 2218-6 |