Catecholamines, plasma

Alphabetical Test listing

Catecholamines, plasma-13512

Test name:

Test number:

13512

Excellian order number:

LAB13512

Alternate names:

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

Tests included:

Plasma catecholamines, fractionated (dopamine, epinephrine, norepinephrine)

Useful for:

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

Patient preparation information:

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

Specimen type:

EDTA plasma

Collection container:

Lavender (EDTA), 4mL x 2

Volume:

1.5 mL

Minimum volume:

0.7 mL
(Note: This volume does not allow for repeat testing.)

Collection instructions:

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

Processing instructions:

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

Transport container:

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

Alternate specimen type:

Heparin plasma

Alternate collection container:

Dk green heparin (Li or Na), no gel

Transport and stability:

Frozen (preferred) - 14 days

Refrigerated - NO

Ambient - NO

Reason for rejection:

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

Performing lab:

LabCorp Burlington (084152): R-LC

TAT:

4 - 6 days

Method:

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

Reference ranges:

See report

Clinical information:

Plasma catecholamines are no longer used for diagnosis of pheochromocytoma.

CPT codes:

82384

LOINC code:

Result 2666-6

Date created:

03/29/2019

Revised date:

04/22/2025

Review date:

04/22/2025