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HelpTest Code CATF Catecholamine Fractionation, Urine
Useful For
An auxiliary test to fractionated plasma and urine metanephrine determinations in the diagnosis and follow-up of pheochromacytoma and paraganglioma.
Biochemical Evaluation and Diagnosis of Catecholamine-producing Tumors
Synonyms/Keywords
Norepinephrine, Epinephrine, Dopamine, Adrenaline, Catecholamines
Specimen Requirements
| Fasting Required | Specimen Type | Preferred Container/Tube | Acceptable Container/Tube | Specimen Volume | Specimen Minimum Volume (allows for 1 repeat) |
Pediatric Minimum Volume (no repeat) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No | Urine | 24 hr Urine Jug with 7 g sulfamic acid |
24 hr jug with |
10 mL aliquot from well mixed 24 hour urine | 5 mL | 3 mL |
Collection/Processing Instructions
Indicate collection dates and times. The total volume collected must be measured, recorded and included with the test request. Urine must be preserved for the entire collection. Add acid preservative to collection jug prior to start of collection.
Patients should be off Sinemet (Levodopa or Carbidopa), L-Dopa, Aldomet (Methyldopa) and Methenamine Mandelate (Hiprex, Mandelamine, Urex) preferably for 1 week, but at a minimum - 48 hours prior to collection. Patients should be off Buspirone (Buspar) for 72 hours before collection.
If urine was not collected for 22-26 hour duration, sample will be rejected and ordering provider notified. The appropriate test to order for samples collected of duration less than 22 hours is "Catecholamine/Creatinine Ratio, Urine" (U CAT) (Test Code: CAT-RND).
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Urine (preserved) | Refrigerate | 1 week |
| Frozen |
1 week |
Rejection Criteria
Specimens that are not preserved
Urine collected for durations other than 22-26 hours
Test Information
Cautions:
- Patient results determined by other methods may not be comparable.
- Many alterations in physiologic and pathologic states can profoundly affect catecholamine concentrations, as well as a variety of substances and drugs.
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Marshfield Labs. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. This test is used for clinical purposes. It should not be regarded as investigational or for research.
Interferences
Levodopa, Carbidopa, L-Dopa, Aldomet, Methenamine Mandelate.
Interpretations
Catecholamines can be excreted into the urine in large amounts in patients with tumors of chromaffin tissue: pheochromocytoma, paraganglioma and neuroblastomas. Approximately 90% of all pheochromocytomas originate in the adrenal medulla and are characterized by an increased excretion of epinephrine. Extra adrenal pheochromocytomas (paragangliomas) mainly secrete norepinephrine and can develop anywhere along the course of the sympathetic chain from the neck to the pelvis. Children are more prone to develop a paraganglioma than are adults. Elevated catecholamine levels can also be seen with tumors of neural origin: neuroblastomas and gangliomas.
Reference Range Information
| Performing Location | Reference Range |
|---|---|
| Marshfield | Adult - Norepinephrine: 13-107 ug/24 hr |
| Epinephrine: 0-15ug/24 hr | |
| Dopamine: 20-450 ug/24 hr | |
| Adult normals are based upon hypertensive population | |
| Contact Special Chemistry for age and sex related pediatric/adolescent ranges |
Marshfield Labs Performing Department
Marshfield Labs Special Chemistry
Performing Information
| Performing Location | Day(s) Test Performed | Analytical Time | Methodology/Instrumentation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marshfield |
Monday, Wednesday, Friday Samples must be in the performing department by 8am on the day of testing for results the same day. |
1 day | UPLC-MS MS (Waters TQ-S system) |
CPT Codes
| CPT | Modifier (if needed) |
Quantity | Description | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 82384 |
Outreach CPT Codes
| CPT | Modifier (if needed) |
Quantity | Description | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 82384 |
Ordering Applications
| Ordering Application | Description |
|---|---|
| Cerner | Catecholamines Fractionated 24 Hour Urine |