Diagnose pheochromocytoma and those paragangliomas which may secrete epinephrine, norepinephrine, or both. Such tumors may cause paroxysmal or persistent hypertension. 

• Patient should discontinue drugs and other substances that may affect measured catecholamine results for at least one week before obtaining the specimen
• Patient should be in a fully recumbent position (lying down) for at least 20 minutes before and during sample collection

Lavender (EDTA), 4mL x 2

• Collect in chilled tube
• Immediately following collection, mix sample thoroughly by gently inverting 8 - 10, times to prevent clotting

1. Spin
2. Transfer the plasma to Screw-cap polypropylene frozen transport vial/tube - 4mL (LabCorp), labelled as the appropriate type of plasma
3. Freeze at -20°C within four (4) hours of sample collection

Screw-cap polypropylene frozen transport vial/tube - 4mL (LabCorp)

Dk green heparin (Li or Na), no gel

Frozen (preferred) - 14 days

Refrigerated - NO

Ambient - NO

• Specimen not drawn in correct tube
• Plasma not received frozen
• Thawed specimen
• Inadequate patient preparation

Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)

See report

Plasma catecholamines are no longer used for diagnosis of pheochromocytoma.