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Metanephrines, Urine 24-Hour

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB7064, Beaker: XMT24, Warde: UMET

Department

Send Outs

Instructions

• A Urine Creatinine test is performed on each sample.
• Please refer to the Specimen Collection Manual for instructions on 24 Hour Urine Collection:
  • Urine 24 Hour Collection - Inpatient.
  • Urine 24 Hour Collection - Outpatient.
  • Urine 24 Hour Collection - Outreach.

If a random sample for Metanephrines is requested, please see Metanephrines, Urine Random.

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect: 24-hour urine sample with 15 mL of 6N Hydrochloric Acid added prior to the start of collection.

• Keep 24-hour urine specimen iced or refrigerated during collection.
• Include start and end dates and times for the collection period on the specimen container.

Urine Preservative Options
No Preservative	6N Hydrochloric Acid	Boric Acid (10g)	Sodium Carbonate	50% Acetic Acid
Acceptable	Preferred	Unacceptable	Unacceptable	Unacceptable

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

Maintain specimens refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F) prior to transport.

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: Entire 24-hour urine collection, refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F).

Rejection Criteria

• Samples not kept refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F).
• Samples with pH <1.
• Specimens not collected and processed as indicated.

In-Lab Processing

Measure total volume of 24-hour urine specimen. Record total volume and collection start and end dates and times in the LIS system. Aliquot 25.0 mL from the well-mixed 24-hour urine collection (Min: 10.0 mL). The pH of 24-hour urine collection with added preservative should be 4.0 or lower. Adjust the pH of the aliquot to between 1.0 and 3.0.

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 9 days
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 9 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 30 days

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 Laboratory, Ann Arbor, MI.

Performed

Monday – Friday.
Results are available in 4-7 days.

Reference Range

By report.

Test Methodology

High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC).

Interpretation

By report.

Clinical Utility

Metanephrines (normetanephrine and metanephrine) are urinary metabolites of adrenal catecholamines (norepinephrine and epinephrine). This assay is a suitable first order test for the presumptive identification of patients with pheochromocytoma.

CPT Codes

83835, 82570.

Contacts

Last Updated

10/16/2023