Catecholamines in Blood

Adrenaline Measurement in Blood, Dopamine Measurement in Blood, Epinephrine Measurement in Blood, Metanephrine Measurement in Blood, Noradrenaline Measurement in Blood, Norepinephrine Measurement in Blood, Vanillymandelic Acid Measurement in Blood

Results

A test for catecholamines measures the amount of epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine in the blood. These catecholamines are made by nerve tissue, the brain, and the adrenal glands.

Normal

Normal values may vary widely from lab to lab.

Catecholamines in blood

Epinephrine:	Lying down:	0–599 picomoles per litre (pmol/L) or less than 110 picograms per microlitre (pg/mL)
	Standing up:	Less than 762 pmol/L or less than 140 pg/mL
Norepinephrine:	Lying down:	380–4,080 pmol/L or 70–750 pg/mL
	Standing up:	1,080–9,250 pmol/L or 200–1,700 pg/mL
Dopamine:	Standing up or lying down:	Less than 163 pmol/L or less than 30 pg/mL
Metanephrine:	Sitting or lying down	Less than 380 pmol/L or 12–60 pg/mL

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, and traumatic injury.
• Many blood pressure 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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