Epinephrine / Adrenaline High Performance Liquid Chromatography 24 Hour Urine
What is this test?
The three catecholamines (norepinephrine, epinephrine, and dopamine) are the principal secretory products of neural tissue. Clinically, the measurement of circulating catecholamines is valuable in the diagnosis of catecholamine secreting tumors associated chiefly with hypertension (pheochromocytomas, neuroblastomas, and gangliomas) and with the evaluation of orthostatic hypotension.
Test Preparation
Inform your doctor if you are on any medications, have any allergies or underlying medical conditions before your Epinephrine / Adrenaline High Performance Liquid Chromatography 24 Hour Urine. Your doctor will give specific instructions depending on your condition on how to prepare for Epinephrine / Adrenaline High Performance Liquid Chromatography 24 Hour Urine.
It is preferable for the patient to be off medications for three days prior to collection. However, common antihypertensives (diuretics, ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, alpha and beta blockers) cause minimal or no interference. Patient should avoid alcohol, coffee, tea, tobacco and strenuous exercise prior to collection. Collect 24-hour urine with 25 mL of 6N HCl to maintain a pH below 3. Urine without preservative is acceptable if pH is below 6 and the sample is shipped frozen. Record 24-hour urine volume on test request form and urine vial.
Understanding your test results
| Gender | Age groups | Value |
| UNISEX | All age groups | 3-8 Years 1-7 mcg/24 h, 9-12 Years ≤8 mcg/24 h, 13-17 Years ≤11 mcg/24 h, Adults 2-24 mcg/24 h |