Catecholamines, plasma-13512

Pathologist approval required.  Requires IV placement and collection in the infusion center.

Test info

  
Catecholamines, plasma
  
13512
  
LAB13512
  
Adrenalin(R)
Catecholamines, fractionated
Dopamine
Epinephrine
Noradrenaline
Norepinephrine
Plasma catecholamines
CTB
  

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

Specimen

  
  • Patient should not be smoking for four to six hours
  • Walnuts, bananas, and α-methyldopa (Aldomet®) should be avoided for a week prior to sampling
  • Other drug interference may occur, including epinephrine and epinephrine-like drugs (eg, nosedrops, sinus and cough preparations, bronchodilators, appetite suppressants)
  
EDTA plasma
  
  
3.0 mL
  
2.2 mL
  

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 EDTA  plasma
  3. Freeze at -20°C within one (1) hour of sample collection*

* The time between blood collection and the preparation of plasma is quite critical; if the time exceeds one hour, catecholamine values increase (when blood is kept at 4ºC) or decrease (when left at 20ºC).

  
Heparin plasma
  

Dk green heparin (Li or Na), no gel

 

  

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 heparin plasma
  3. Freeze at -20°C within one (1) hour of sample collection*

* The time between blood collection and the preparation of plasma is quite critical; if the time exceeds one hour, catecholamine values increase (when blood is kept at 4ºC) or decrease (when left at 20ºC).

  

Frozen (preferred) - 2 weeks

Ambient - 2 hours

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

Performance

  
LabCorp Burlington (084152): R-LC
  
3 - 6 days
  

High-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) with electrochemical (EC) detection

Clinical and Interpretive info

  

Norepinephrine, plasma:
0 to 1 year: 0−659 pg/mL
1 to 18 years: 0−611 pg/mL
18 years and older: 0−874 pg/mL

Epinephrine, plasma:
0 to 1 year: 0−34 pg/mL
1 to 18 years: 0−80 pg/mL
18 years and older: 0−62 pg/mL

Dopamine, plasma:
0 to 1 year: 0−42 pg/mL
1 to 18 years: 0−32 pg/mL
18 years and older: 0−48 pg/mL

  

Plasma catecholamines are no longer used for diagnosis of pheochromocytoma.  Other indications require pathologist approval.

Billing

  
82384
  
Result 2666-6

Tracking

  
03/29/2019
  
12/29/2023
  
12/29/2023