ARUP's Laboratory Test Directory
| 0080957: Catecholamines Fractionated (Epinephrine, Norepinephrine), Plasma |
| Test Mnemonic: CATE PF,EN | |
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Methodology: High Performance Liquid Chromatography
Performed: Sun, Tue-Sat Reported: 1-3 days |
| Specimen Required: | |
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Collect: One 10 mL green (sodium or lithium heparin). Collect on ice.
Transport: 4 mL plasma, frozen. (Min: 2.5 mL) Submit specimen in an ARUP Standard Transport Tube. Pediatric Collection/Transport: 1.5 mL plasma, frozen. Remarks: Patient should be calm and in a supine position for 30 minutes prior to collection. Plasma should be separated from cells ASAP (within one hour). Separate specimens must be submitted when multiple tests are ordered. Unacceptable Conditions: EDTA plasma, serum, or urine specimens. Stability: After separation from cells: Ambient: Unacceptable; Refrigerated: 2 days; Frozen: 1 month (-20°C), up to 1 year (-70°C) |
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| Reference Interval: | |||||||||||||||||
Supine
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| Interpretive Data: | |
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Small increases in catecholamines (less than 2 times the upper reference limit) usually are the result of physiological stimuli, drugs, or improper specimen collection. Significant elevation of one or more catecholamines (2 or more times the upper reference limit) is associated with an increased probability of a neuroendocrine tumor. Measurement of plasma or urine fractionated metanephrines provides better diagnostic sensitivity than measurement of catecholamines.
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| Note: | |
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Medications which may 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, labetalol, methyldopa (Aldomet), MAO inhibitors, nicotine, nose drops, propafenone (Rythmol), reserpine, theophylline, tricyclic antidepressants, and vasodilators. The effects of drugs on catecholamine results may not be predictable. For optimum results, patient should be supine with venous catheter in place for 30 minutes prior to collection. "Upright" ranges show epinephrine up to 900 pg/mL, and norepinephrine up to 700 pg/mL. Children, particularly those under 2 years of age, often show an elevated catecholamine response to stress. |
| CPT Code(s): | |
| 82384 |