Test Overview
Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
Age specific reference ranges provided with report.
* Reference ranges may change over time. Please refer to the original patient report when evaluating results.
Medications that may interfere with catecholamines and metabolites include amphetamines and ampehtamine-like compounds, appetite suppressants, bromocriptine, buspirone, caffeine, carbidopa-levopa (Sinemet), clonidine, dexamethasone, diuretics, ethanol, isoproterenol, methyldopa (Aldomet), MAO inhibitors, nicotine, nose drops, propafenone (Rythmol), reserpine, theophylline, tricyclic antidepressants, and vasodilators.
Test Details
3 - 6 days
- CATECHOLAMINES, URINE
- Catecholamine Fractionation, Urine
- Catecholamines, Free, Urine
- Catecholamines, Unconjugated, Urine
- Epinephrine, Urine
- Norepinephrine, Urine
- Unconjugated Catecholamines
- Catocholimine
- CATECHOLEMINES, URINE
- EPU
- NOREPU
- CATU-D
- DOPAMINE
- EPINEPHRIN
- NOREPINEPH
- EPINEPHRINE
- NOREPINEPHRINE
Specimen Requirements
Collect 24 hour urine specimen. Add 25 mL of 50% acetic acid to container prior to start of collection to maintain pH between 2 and 4 and refrigerate specimen during collection. Mix well, measure 24 hour urine volume, aliquot urine into a plastic urine container and refrigerate. Record total 24 hour urine volume and collection dates/times on request form.
Use 15 mL of 50% acetic acid for children less than 5 years old.
Additional Information
Test includes epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine. Test sent to Mayo Clinic Laboratories.