ARUP's Laboratory Test Directory

0080407: Catecholamines Fractionated by LC-MS/MS, Urine Free

Test Mnemonic: CATE UF
Methodology: Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Performed: Sun-Sat

Reported: 1-2 days

Specimen Required:  
Collect: 24-hour or random urine. Refrigerate 24-hour sample during collection. 

Transport: 5 mL aliquot from a well-mixed 24-hour or random collection at 2-8°C. (Min: 2.5 mL)  Submit specimen in an ARUP Standard Transport Tube. Record total volume and collection time interval on transport tube and test request form.

Pediatric Collection/Transport: 2.5 mL aliquot from a well-mixed 24-hour or random collection at 2-8°C.

Remarks: Adequate refrigeration is the most important aspect of specimen preservation. Preservation can be enhanced by adjusting the pH to 2-3 by adding an acid such as 6 mol/L HCl. Catecholamines are not stable above pH 7. The pH of such specimens must be adjusted by the addition of acid prior to transport. A pH less than 2 can cause assay interference.

Stability: Ambient: 24 hours; Refrigerated: 1 month; Frozen: 6 months

Reference Interval:
 
Components Reference Interval
Dopamine 60-440 µg/d
Epinephrine 0-25 µg/d
Norepinephrine 0-100 µg/d

 
The urine catecholamines-to-creatinine ratios will be reported when the patient is under 18 years, or the urine collection is random, or other than 24 hours, or the urine volume is less than 400 mL/24 hours.
Test Number Components Reference Interval
 Dopamine 
 
Age Dopamine
0-11 months
1-3 years
4-10 years
11-17 years
18 years and older 		240-1290 µg/g crt
80-1220 µg/g crt
220-720 µg/g crt
120-450 µg/g crt
0-250 µg/g crt
 Epinephrine 
 
Age Epinephrine
0-11 months
1-3 years
4-10 years
11-17 years
18 years and older 		0-380 µg/g crt
0-82 µ/g crt
5-93 µg/g crt
3-58 µg/g crt
0-20 µg/g crt
 Norepinephrine  
 
Age Norepinephrine
0-11 months
1-3 years
4 -10 years
11-17 years
18 years and older 		25-310 µg/g crt
25-290 µg/g crt
27-110 µg/g crt
4-105 µg/g crt
0-45 µg/g crt
 Creatinine (24-hour)  
 
Male Female
3-8 years: 140-700 mg/d
9-12 years: 300-1300 mg/d
13-17 years: 500-2300 mg/d
18-50 years: 1000-2500 mg/d
51-80 years: 800-2100 mg/d
81 years and older: 600-2000 mg/d 		3-8 years: 140-700 mg/d
9-12 years: 300-1300 mg/d
13-17 years: 400-1600 mg/d
18-50 years: 700-1600 mg/d
51-80 years: 500-1400 mg/d
81 years and older: 400-1300 mg/d

Note:
Secreting neuroendocrine tumors are typically associated with catecholamine concentrations several times higher than the upper reference intervals. Large elevations can be seen in life-threatening illnesses and drug interferences. Common reasons for slight and moderate elevations include intense physical activity, emotional and physical stress, drug interferences, and improper specimen collection.

Medications which may physiologically interfere with catecholamines and metabolites include amphetamines and amphetamine-like compounds, appetite suppressants, bromocriptine, buspirone, caffeine, carbidopa-levodopa (Sinemet®), clonidine, dexamethasone, diuretics (in doses sufficient to deplete sodium), ethanol, isoproterenol, methyldopa (Aldomet®), MAO inhibitors, nicotine, nose drops, propafenone (Rythmol), reserpine, theophylline, tricyclic antidepressants, and vasodilators. The effects of some drugs on catecholamine results may not be predictable.

References: 1). Optimal collection and storage conditions for catecholamine measurements in human plasma and urine. (Clinical Chemistry 1993; 39:2503-8.);  2). Effect of urine pH, storage time, and temperature on stability of catecholamines, cortisol, and creatinine. (Clinical Chemistry 1998; 44: 1759-62).

CPT Code(s):
82384

 

 

 
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