Catecholamines, Fractionated
Label Mnemonic: | CATP |
Epic code: | LAB2807 |
Downtime form: | Doctor/Provider Orders - Pathology Core and Specialty Care Nursery |
Commercial Mailout Laboratory
6240-8 RCP
356-8593
6240-8 RCP
356-8593
Specimen(s):
Plasma
Specimen
Instructions:
Plasma must be separated from cells as soon
as possible, within one hour of collection.
Collection Medium:
![]() |
Green top tube 10 mL (Na Heparin) Hospital Stores #907693 |
Minimum:
Preferred Minimum: 4 mL plasma
Absolute Minimum: 2.1 mL plasma
Patient should be calm and supine for 30 minutes pre-collection.
Absolute Minimum: 2.1 mL plasma
Patient should be calm and supine for 30 minutes pre-collection.
Rejection Criteria:
EDTA plasma, serum or urine. Full 4 mL
Green top Tube (Na Heparin) is NOT acceptable. Minimum specimen
volume is not provided with this tube size and the order will be
canceled.
Delivery Instructions:

Turn Around
Time:
1-4 days upon receipt at reference laboratory
Reference Range:
Epinephrine 2-10 days 36-400 pg/mL 11 days-3 months 55-200 pg/mL 4-11 months 55-440 pg/mL 12-23 months 36-640 pg/mL 24-35 months 18-440 pg/mL 3-17 years 18-460 pg/mL 18 years and older 10-200 pg/mL Norepinephrine 2-10 days 170-1180 pg/m 11 days-3 months 370-2080 pg/m 4-11 months 270-1120 pg/mL 12-23 months 68-1810 pg/mL 24-35 months 170-1470 pg/mL 3-17 years 85-1250 pg/m 18 years and older 80-520 pg/mL Dopamine 2 days and older: 0-20 pg/mL
Interpretive Data:
Small increases in catecholamines (less than 2 times the upper
reference limit) are usually the result of physiological stimuli,
drugs, or improper specimen collection. Significant elevation of one
or more catecholamines (2 or more times the upper reference limit) is
associated with an increased probability of a neuroendocrine tumor.
Measurement of plasma or urine fractionated metanephrines provides
better diagnostic sensitivity than measurement of catecholamines.
Comments:
Medications which may interfere with catecholamines and metabolites
include amphetamines and amphetamine-like compounds, appetite
suppressants, bromocriptine, buspirone, caffeine, carbidopa-levodopa
(Sinemet), clonidine, dexamethasone, diuretics (in doses sufficient to
deplete sodium), ethanol, isoproterenol, labetalol, methyldopa
(Aldomet), MAO inhibitors, nicotine, nose drops, propafenone
(Rythmol), reserpine, theophylline, tricyclic antidepressants, and
vasodilators. The effects of drugs on catecholamine results may not be
predictable.
For optimum results, patient should be supine for 30 minutes prior to collection. "Upright" ranges show epinephrine up to 900 pg/mL, and norepinephrine up to 700 pg/mL.
Children, particularly those under 2 years of age, often show an elevated catecholamine response to stress.
For optimum results, patient should be supine for 30 minutes prior to collection. "Upright" ranges show epinephrine up to 900 pg/mL, and norepinephrine up to 700 pg/mL.
Children, particularly those under 2 years of age, often show an elevated catecholamine response to stress.
Methodology:
Quantitative High Performance Liquid Chromatography
CPT Code:
82384
See Additional Information:
Specimens Requiring Immediate Delivery
Specimens Requiring Immediate Delivery