Department:
Biochemistry
Tube Colour:
Dark Green On Ice
Pseudonyms:
ADR, NORADR, DOPA
Test Code:
PCAT
Availability:
Weekly
Collection Requirements:
6 mL Lithium Heparin NO GEL on ice. Sample collected via an indwelling catheter after 30 mins in a quiet room with minimal disturbance to the patient.
Requires own tube?:
No
Reference Laboratory:
Austin Pathology
Austin Hospital
145 Studley Road
Heidelberg
Vic 3084. tel 03 9496 3100; fax 03 9496 1674
Reference Range:
Noradrenaline 1.0 - 5.0 nmol/L;
Adrenaline 0.0 - 1.0 nmol/L;
Dopamine 0.0 - 0.5 nmol/L
Notes:
Testing for plasma free metanephrines (the O-methylated metabolites of catecholamines) is now considered the preferred test in screening for the presence of neuroendocrine secreting tumours such as phaeochromocytomas and paragangliomas. Ref: Lenders et al 2002, JAMA 287:1427-1434
