Catecholamines, Urine

Diagnostic Use

Urine catecholamines include adrenaline, noradrenaline, and dopamine. Where urine catecholamines are requested, only urinary (nor)metanephrines will be analysed. Urine or plasma (nor)metanephrines are the preferred initial biochemical test for phaeochromocytoma and paraganglioma in adults.
Requests for catecholamines require prior approval from the laboratory.

Department

Lipids/Trace Metals

Delphic Registration Code

CATU

Laboratory Handling

Separating

Random sample (for children) must be acidified by the laboratory ASAP. (Laboratory to pH to 1.5 - 3.5 on receipt),

Laboratory

Random sample (for children) must be acidified by the laboratory ASAP. (Laboratory to pH to 1.5 - 3.5 on receipt), Samples that are not acidified on arrival are not analyzed.

Test Adds

Refrigerated (preferred) 28 days, frozen 28 days

Synonyms

Adrenaline
Cats
Dopamine
Noradrenaline,
Pressor Amines

Turnaround Time

14 days

Test Code

9330

Specimen Type

• 24hr Urine

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• Pottle

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

10

Minimum Sample Volume (ml)

5

No of Samples Required

1

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• Pottle

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

2

Minimum Sample Volume (ml)

1

Additional Specimen Information

Timed 24 hour urine collection, must be in acid container. Timed urine collected over acid (10 mL conc HCl/2.5L)

Random sample (for children) must be acidified by the laboratory ASAP. (Laboratory to pH to 1.5 - 3.5 on receipt)

Please indicate drug history.

Aliquot Instructions

Sample Type

• Urine

Transport to Lab

Chilled (2 - 8 degrees Celsius)

Additional Referral/Aliquot Information

5 mL urine. Acidify random samples on arrival in the laboratory. Store in fridge.

Interpretation

Certain medications may cause false positive results such as tricyclic antidepressants, MAO-inhibitors, levodopa, and sinemet.

Reference Intervals

Age dependent, Adult range:

Adrenaline <0.1 µmol/24 h or < 27 µmol/mol creatinine
Noradrenaline <0.5 µmol/24 h or < 75 µmol/mol creatinine
Dopamine <2.5 µmol/24 h or < 258 µmol/mol creatinine

Test Method

Resin extraction, LC- Mass Spec detection

Non-Funded Test Cost

$86.68 (Exclusive of GST)

Billing Code

8769

Additional Costing Information

Unacidified urine samples are not acceptable.

Batched weekly.

Resources

• 24hr urine collection patient information

Contact Information

Enquiry Form