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Catecholamines, Urine Random

CATS, epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB7063, Beaker: XCATR, WARDE: UCATR

Department

Send Outs

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect: Random urine in a screw-capped container (preferred) or other sterile collection container. (Minimum: 5.0 mL)

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

Add 1-2 drops 6N HCl to a 10 mL urine aliquot within 4 hours of collection. Mix well, ensure pH is between 1-3, and send urine refrigerated in a plastic screw-capped urine cup. Maintain specimen refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F) prior to transport.

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: Urine, refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F). (Minimum: 5.0 mL)

Rejection Criteria

Specimens not collected and processed as indicated.

In-Lab Processing

Add 1-2 drops 6N HCl to a 10 mL urine aliquot within 4 hours of collection. Mix well, ensure pH is between 1-3, and send urine refrigerated in a plastic screw-capped urine cup. Maintain specimen refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F) prior to transport.

Transport: Urine, refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F). (Minimum: 5.0 mL)

Note: Catecholamines are not stable above pH 7. The pH of such specimens must be adjusted by the addition of 6M HCL prior to transport.

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

With preservative:
Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 72 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 30 days

Without preservative:
Not stable at any temperature.

Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:

Specimen retention time is determined by the policy of the reference laboratory. Contact the Send Outs Laboratory with any questions.

Laboratory

Sent to Warde Medical Laboratories, Ann Arbor, MI.

Performed

Monday – Friday.
Results available within 1-4 days.

Reference Range

By report.

Test Methodology

High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC).

Interpretation

Levels of epinephrine (E) and norepinephrine (NE) as well as their metabolites, the metanephrines and VMA, will be increased in cases of pheochromocytoma (NE usually significantly higher than E). If E is the predominant abnormality, it suggests the adrenal medulla is the site of the tumor. If NE is predominant, the tumor is more likely to be outside the adrenal gland.

Levels of NE, dopamine (D), and their metabolites, may be increased in neuroblastoma, ganglioneuroblastoma, ganglioneuroma and paragangliomas, but not as predictably as in pheochromocytoma. Elevations are also seen in myocardial infarction, hypothyroidism, diabetic acidosis and manic depressive disorders of long duration.

Catecholamines may also be increased due to exercise, stress, smoking and pain.

Very high levels of alpha-methyl dopamine may interfere with measurement of the internal standard.

Isoproterenol and Isoetharine (synthetic amines) used in the treatment of bronchial asthma and related conditions can interfere with NE quantitation.

L-Dopa and dopamine administration will increase levels of dopamine in urine.

CPT Codes

82384, 82570.
LOINC:  49257-9

Contacts

Last Updated

8/16/2023