Pathology tests database

Sample and container requirements

Acidified 24 hr Urine

Minimum volume required

200 µL urine

Special requirements

None

Patient preparation

None

Sample viability

Turnaround time

14 days

Reference range

Noradrenaline: Adult Male: <650 nmol/24 hr Adult Female: <554 nmol/24 hr Adult Unknown: <554 nmol/24 hr <1 year: <59 nmol/24 hr 1 year: <100 nmol/24 hr 2 – 3 years: <171 nmol/24 hr 4 – 6 years: <266 nmol/24 hr 7 – 9 years: <384 nmol/24 hr 10 – 15 years: <473 nmol/24 hr Adrenaline: Adult Male: <101 nmol/24 hr Adult Female: <77 nmol/24 hr Adult Unknown: <77 nmol/24 hr <1 year: <14 nmol/24 hr 1 year: <19 nmol/24 hr 2 – 3 years: <33 nmol/24 hr 4 – 9 years: <55 nmol/24 hr 10 – 15 years: <109 nmol/24 hr Dopamine: Adult Male: <3305 nmol/24 hr Adult Female: <3007 nmol/24 hr Adult Unknown: <3007 nmol/24 hr <1 year: <555 nmol/24 hr 1 year: <914 nmol/24 hr 2 – 3 years: <1697 nmol/24 hr 4 – 15 years: <2612 nmol/24 hr Random Urine Catecholamine Ranges: Noradrenaline: Adult: <80 nmol/mmol creatinine 0 – 2 mo: <103 nmol/mmol creatinine 3 – 5 mo: <81 nmol/mmol creatinine 6 – 11 mo: <74 nmol/mmol creatinine 1 year: <47 nmol/mmol creatinine 2 – 4 years: <33 nmol/mmol creatinine 5 – 9 years: <25 nmol/mmol creatinine 10 – 15 years: <19 nmol/mmol creatinine Adrenaline: Adult: <5 nmol/mmol creatinine 0 – 5 mo: <19 nmol/mmol creatinine 6 – 11 mo: <15 nmol/mmol creatinine 1 year: <11 nmol/mmol creatinine 2 – 4 years: <10 nmol/mmol creatinine 5 – 9 years: <8 nmol/mmol creatinine 10 – 15 years: <5 nmol/mmol creatinine Dopamine: Adult: <335 nmol/mmol creatinine 0 – 2 mo: <1060 nmol/mmol creatinine 3 – 5 mo: <1076 nmol/mmol creatinine 6 – 11 mo: <886 nmol/mmol creatinine 1 year: <693 nmol/mmol creatinine 2 – 4 years: <489 nmol/mmol creatinine 5 – 9 years: <339 nmol/mmol creatinine 10 – 15 years: <230 nmol/mmol creatinine (Source: adults: locally derived, /24 hr: Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry, /mmol creatinine: Chromsystems)

Clinical guidance

Please refer to LabTestsOnlineUK to learn more about catecholamines. https://labtestsonline.org.uk/tests/catecholamines-plasma-and-urine

Notes

Since the secretion of the catecholamines, and hence the symptoms, from a phaeochromocytoma may be paroxysmal (i.e. short and frequent) it is recommended that 3 successive 24 hour urine collections are performed to 'catch' the catecholamine secretion and hence ensure the correct diagnosis. Measurement of urinary metadrenaline and normetadrenaline will also be performed on all samples. Under exceptional circumstances block-timed urines and random specimens may be analysed. The 24 hour urines must be collected into acid (e.g. 50 mL of 3 mol/L hydrochloric acid); acidification of specimens following receipt by the laboratory is unacceptable. Substances which can interfere both in vivo and in vitro include: - Tricyclic antidepressants - Phenoxybenzamine - Calcium channel blockers - Stimulants (e.g. caffeine, nicotine) - Levodopa - Paracetamol