ARUP's Laboratory Test Directory

Homovanillic Acid (HVA), Urine : 0080422

Mnemonic: HVA U

Ordering Recommendation: Initial test for the diagnosis and monitoring of individuals with neuroblastoma. Should be ordered concurrently with Vanillylmandelic Acid (VMA), Urine (0080421).
Methodology: Quantitative High Performance Liquid Chromatography
Performed: Sun, Tue-Sat
Reported: 1-3 days
Specimen Required: Patient Prep: Abstain from medications for 72 hours prior to collection.

Collect: 24-hour or random urine. Refrigerate 24-hour specimens during collection.

Specimen Preparation: Transfer 4 mL aliquot from a well-mixed 24-hour or random collection to an ARUP Standard Transport Tube. (Min: 1 mL) Record total volume and collection time interval on transport tube and test request form.

Storage/Transport Temperature: Refrigerated.

Unacceptable Conditions: Specimen types other than urine.

Stability (collection to initiation of testing): Ambient: Unacceptable; Refrigerated: 1 week; Frozen: 2 weeks
Reference Interval:
 
Components Reference Interval  
HVA, Urine 18 years and older 0.0-15.0 mg/d
 The HVA-to-creatinine ratio will be reported when the patient is under 18 years, the urine collection is random or other than 24 hours, or the urine volume is less than 400 mL/24 hours.  
HVA, Urine 0-2 years
3-5 years
6-17 years
18 years and older 		0-42 mg/g crt
0-22 mg/g crt
0-15 mg/g crt
0-8 mg/g crt
Creatinine (24-hour) Male
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 		Female
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

Interpretive Data: Homovanillic acid (HVA) results are expressed as a ratio to creatinine excretion (mg/g cr). HVA mass per day (mg/d) is not reported on specimens from patients younger than 18 years of age, for random specimens, urine collection periods other than 24 hours, or for urine volumes less than 400 mL/d. No reference interval is available for results reported in units of mg/L.
Note: Moderately elevated HVA (homovanillic acid) may be caused by a variety of factors such as essential hypertension, intense anxiety, intense physical exercise, and numerous drug interactions (including some over-the-counter medications and herbal products).

Medications which may interfere with catecholamines and their metabolites include amphetamines and amphetamine-like compounds, appetite suppressants, bromocriptine, buspirone, caffeine, chlorpromazine, clonidine, disulfiram, diuretics (in doses sufficient to deplete sodium), epinephrine, glucagon, guanethidine, histamine, hydrazine derivatives, imipramine, levodopa (L-dopa, Sinemet®), lithium, MAO inhibitors, melatonin, methyldopa (Aldomet®), morphine, nitroglycerin, nose drops, propafenone (Rythmol), radiographic agents, rauwolfia alkaloids (Reserpine), and vasodilators.  The effects of some drugs on catecholamine metabolite results may not be predictable.
CPT Code(s): 83150
Cross References: 3-Methoxy-4-Hydroxy Phenylacetic Acid (Homovanillic Acid (HVA), Urine), HVA (Homovanillic Acid (HVA), Urine)