Catecholamines in Urine

Dopamine Measurement in Urine, Epinephrine Measurement in Urine, Metanephrine Measurement in Urine, Norepinephrine Measurement in Urine, Vanillymandelic Acid Measurement in Urine

Results

A test for catecholamines measures the amount of epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine in the urine.

Normal

Normal values may vary widely from lab to lab.

Catecholamines in a 24-hour urine sample

Free catecholamines	Less than 590 nanomoles (nmol) or less than 100 micrograms (µg)
Epinephrine	Less than 109 nmol or less than 20 µg
Norepinephrine	Less than 590 nmol or less than 100 µg
Dopamine	384–2360 nmol or 65–400 µg
Vanillylmandelic acid (VMA)	Less than 35 micromole (µmol) or less than 6.8 milligrams (mg)
Metanephrine	Less than 6.7 µmol or less than 1.3 mg
Normetanephrine	89–473 nmol or 15–80 µg

Normal urine values may vary in children depending on their age.

High values

• High levels of catecholamines, vanillylmandelic acid (VMA), or metanephrine can mean an adrenal gland tumour (pheochromocytoma) or another type of tumour that makes catecholamines is present.
• High levels may also be seen with any major stress, such as burns, a whole-body infection (sepsis), illness, surgery, or traumatic injury.
• Many blood pressure medicines can cause high catecholamine levels.
• Many non-prescription cough, cold, or sinus medicines can also cause high catecholamine levels.

Low values

Low values may be caused by diabetes or some nervous system problems.

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Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC	Last Updated: November 30, 2006
Medical Review:	Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine Hanan Bassyouni, MD - Endocrinology and Metabolism Alan C. Dalkin, MD - Endocrinology
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