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

Why It Is Done

A catecholamine test is done to help diagnose a tumour in the adrenal glands called a pheochromocytoma. Catecholamine levels in the blood can change quickly, so it may be hard to find high values in a single blood sample. But a special compound, metanephrine, may be found in the blood, which may mean a pheochromocytoma is present. Doctors may want to do a urine test that shows catecholamine levels over 24 hours.

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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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