CATECHOLAMINES, FRACTIONATED, PLASMA
General Information
HLAB/HOL Code: CATP
UPHSM LIS Test #: 026050
Schedule:
Testing Time: 4-6 Days
Testing Lab: Labcorp
UPHSM LIS Test #: 026050
Schedule:
Testing Time: 4-6 Days
Testing Lab: Labcorp
Specimen Info
Only 1 specimen type required, unless otherwise specified
Volume: 3 (2.2) mL
Temperature: Frozen
Tube Type: Plasma
Collection Info:
Collection: Draw blood in lavender-top (EDTA) tube or green-top (heparin) tube. Invert to mix with preservatives. Centrifuge and transfer the plasma to labeled plastic transport tube. Freeze immediately (within one hour after collection) at -20°C and ship frozen. 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 4°C) or decrease (when left at 20°C).1 To avoid delays in turnaround time when requesting multiple tests on frozen samples, please submit separate frozen specimens for each test requested.
Storage Instructions: Freeze. After centrifugation, the plasma can be stored up to two hours at room temperature. Sample can be kept for up to two weeks at -20°C.
Temperature: Frozen
Tube Type: Plasma
Collection Info:
Collection: Draw blood in lavender-top (EDTA) tube or green-top (heparin) tube. Invert to mix with preservatives. Centrifuge and transfer the plasma to labeled plastic transport tube. Freeze immediately (within one hour after collection) at -20°C and ship frozen. 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 4°C) or decrease (when left at 20°C).1 To avoid delays in turnaround time when requesting multiple tests on frozen samples, please submit separate frozen specimens for each test requested.
Storage Instructions: Freeze. After centrifugation, the plasma can be stored up to two hours at room temperature. Sample can be kept for up to two weeks at -20°C.
Specimen Acceptability
Cause for Rejection:
Specimen not drawn in correct tube; plasma not received frozen; thawed specimen; inadequate patient preparation
Specimen not drawn in correct tube; plasma not received frozen; thawed specimen; inadequate patient preparation
Methods
High-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) with electrochemical (EC) detection
Clinical Utilities
Diagnose pheochromocytoma and those paragangliomas which may secrete epinephrine, norepinephrine, or both. Such tumors may cause paroxysmal or persistent hypertension. Investigation of hypertensive patients, especially younger individuals, particularly when hypertension is paroxysmal, suggesting pheochromocytoma. Plasma catecholamines with urinary metanephrines and VMA are a recommended test battery for pheochromocytoma. Others recommend plasma catecholamines when urinary collections are not diagnostic. Work up multiple endocrine adenomatosis, type II. Used also in diagnosis of disorders related to the nervous system and in assessment of resuscitation.
CPT Codes
82384
* The CPT codes provided are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding
is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payer being billed.
Reference Range
Norepinephrine, plasma:
• 0-1 year: 0-659 pg/mL
• 1-18 years: 0-611 pg/mL
• 18 years and older: 0-874 pg/mL
Epinephrine, plasma:
• 0-1 year: 0-34 pg/mL
• 1-18 years: 0-80 pg/mL
• 18 years and older: 0-62 pg/mL
Dopamine, plasma:
• 0-1 year: 0-42 pg/mL
• 1-18 years: 0-32 pg/mL
• 18 years and older: 0-48 pg/mL
• 0-1 year: 0-659 pg/mL
• 1-18 years: 0-611 pg/mL
• 18 years and older: 0-874 pg/mL
Epinephrine, plasma:
• 0-1 year: 0-34 pg/mL
• 1-18 years: 0-80 pg/mL
• 18 years and older: 0-62 pg/mL
Dopamine, plasma:
• 0-1 year: 0-42 pg/mL
• 1-18 years: 0-32 pg/mL
• 18 years and older: 0-48 pg/mL
