Pathology tests database

Sample and container requirements

EDTA Plasma

Minimum volume required

2 mL plasma

Special requirements

Transport samples to lab within 30 mins (1 hour if taken on ice). Samples recieved outside of this timeframe will be rejected.

Patient preparation

For measurements of plasma metanephrines, we suggest drawing blood with the patient in the supine position and use of reference intervals established in the same position, as per Endocrine guidelines: https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article/99/6/1915/2537399 If supine sampling is not possible, patient should be sitting down for 15 minutes prior to the test and preferably have fasted overnight (if overnight fast is not possible, a minimum 2 hour fast is recommended).

Sample viability

Turnaround time

14 days

Reference range

Supine Reference Ranges: Normetanephrine <730 pmol/L Metanephrine <450 pmol/L 3-Methoxytyearamine <180 pmol/L Seated Reference Ranges: Normetanephrine <1180 pmol/L Metanephrine <510 pmol/L 3-Methoxytyearamine <180 pmol/L (Source: Peaston et al., 2010, doi: 10.1016/j.cca.2010.01.012)

Clinical guidance

Please refer to LabTestsOnlineUK to learn more about plasma metanephrines. https://labtestsonline.org.uk/tests/plasma-free-metadrenalines-metanephrines

Notes