Laboratory Medicine Program

Catecholamines, 24 hr urine
(Norepinephrine, epinephrine, dopamine)

Clinical Decription:
Pheochromocytomas, or tumours of the adrenal medulla, produce excessive amounts of catecholamines. Symptoms include intermittent or sustained hypertension, pallor, sweating and tachycardia (rapid heart beat). Such patients may have elevated urinary catecholamines and metanephrines. Because pheochromocytomas may release catecholamines episodically, it is possible for a patient to have normal urine catecholamines on one day and abnormal the next. If clinical signs and symptoms indicate pheochromocytoma and urine catecholamines are normal the urine collection should be repeated and sent for metanephrine analysis.

Method: Referred Out

Component Tests Used: Norepinephrine, epinephrine, dopamine

Reference Ranges Used:
Norepinephrine (NE): < 70 nmol/mmol creatinine| < 600 nmol/d; Epinephrine (E): < 20 nmol/mmol creatinine| < 150 nmol/d; Dopamine (DA): < 390 nmol/mmol creatinine| M: < 3400 nmol/d, F: <2500 nmol/d

Specimen Type: Urine 24 hour
Volume: 50 mL (minimum: 25 mL)

Shipping: Frozen at -20C

Special Instructions: Collect 24 h urine in catecholamine bottle (containing 25 mL 6 mol/L hydrochloric acid (HCL). Restrict caffeine, nicotine and alcohol for 24 h prior to collection. Discontinue methyldopa 5 d prior to testing. Discard first morning sample, collect all other urine for a 24 hour period, to include second morning sample. Record volume and aliquot.

Testing Schedule(s): Weekly.

Turnaround Time: 7 days

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