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Vanillylmandelic Acid (VMA), 24-Hour Urine

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB7066, Beaker: XVM24, Warde: UVMA

Department

Send Outs

Instructions

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect (preferred specimen): 24-hour urine sample with no preservatives. 
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.
• The specimen must be transported to the Laboratory immediately after the end of the collection interval. 

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

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. (Minimum: 10.0 mL).

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): Unacceptable
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 14 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 1-4 days.

Reference Range

By report.

Test Methodology

Quantitative High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) – Tandem Mass Spectrometry.

Interpretation

Elevated levels are seen in cases of pheochromocytoma, neuroblastoma, ganglioneuroma and in some cases of carcinoid tumor.

Clinical Utility

Vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) and other catecholamine metabolites such as homovanillic acid (HVA) measurement in urine are used for screening children for catecholamine-secreting tumors such as neuroblastoma and other neural crest tumors and monitoring those who have had treatment for these tumors.

VMA is not the analyte of choice for diagnosis of pheochromocytoma, which is better detected by testing for metanephrines.

CPT Codes

84585, 82570.

Contacts

Last Updated

5/9/2023