Catecholamine Urine Test

Your doctor may order a catecholamine test if he/she suspects the presence of an adrenal tumour, which could lead to the excessive production of catecholamines. This test is also recommended to people who show the following symptoms:

• High blood pressure, which does not respond to conventional treatment
• Persistent and severe headaches
• Excessive sweating
• Flushing and redness of the skin
• Palpitations (fast heart rate)
• Tremors
• Sudden weight loss
• Unexplained anxiety

Catecholamine test results are affected by multiple factors such as certain drugs, foods and stress. For example, food items such as chocolates and bananas and beverages such as coffee and tea can increase catecholamine levels in the body. Allergy medications and tobacco consumption may also interfere with the results. 

If you are menstruating, it is best that get tested after the period has ended, otherwise, it may mess the results up. 

Your doctor will instruct you on the medications and foods that you must avoid for a few days or weeks before the test. In some individuals, even a small amount of stress can lead to a rise in catecholamine levels; therefore, it is best to avoid physical and emotional stress before the test. Fasting is not required before the test. 

Do not stop the intake of any routine medication unless advised by your doctor. Your doctor will work with you to determine which medications can be stopped safely and which ones you need to continue for your well-being.

This test is mostly conducted on a 24-hour urine sample. You will be provided with a container to collect the sample. Your doctor may explain to you the right way to collect the sample and when to start collecting it. Usually, the collection of a 24-hour urine sample begins in the morning. The urine during the first trip to the bathroom must not be collected. After this, the rest of the urine must be collected for the next 24 hours. 

Make sure to store the sample container in a cool environment - you can keep it in a refrigerator. Label the container appropriately with your name, date and time of collection of the sample. 

After the sample has been collected, it should be taken to the laboratory for analysis as soon as possible. 

If the test is being performed on an infant, then the area around the urethral opening must be washed thoroughly and the urine collection bag must be placed appropriately on the infant to collect the sample without any spillage. The collected sample should be delivered to the laboratory for analysis as soon as the collection is completed.

Normal results:

There are three types of catecholamines in our body - dopamine, epinephrine and norepinephrine.

The normal values of these catecholamines are as follows:

• Epinephrine: 0.5-20 mcg/24 hours (micrograms per 24 hours)
• Norepinephrine: 15-80 mcg/24 hours
• Dopamine: 65-400 mcg/24 hours
• Total urine catecholamines: 14-110 mcg/24 hours

Abnormal results:

Elevated levels of catecholamines in the urine can be attributed to:

• Persistent anxiety
• Ganglioblastoma (tumour of the nerve tissues)
• Neuroblastoma (a rare form of cancer affecting the adrenal glands)
• Pheochromocytoma (a hormone-secreting tumour of the adrenal gland)
• Severe and prolonged stress

Disclaimer: All results must be clinically correlated with the patient’s complaints to make a complete and accurate diagnosis. The above information is provided from a purely educational point of view and is in no way a substitute for medical advice by a qualified doctor.