Metanephrines (Urine)
Department:
Biochemistry
Time Limit for Add on Tests:
N/A
Target Turnaround time:
2 weeks
Further Information from LabTestsOnline
Availability:
Referred to Royal Devon & Exeter Laboratory
Sample Type:
24 hour Urine - plain container (Yellow Lid). Acid is added upon receipt into the laboratory. A repeat in an acid container (Green Lid) may be deemed necessary if the pH at receipt is > 7.
Special Instructions:
Patient Instruction Leaflet
| Normetadrenaline Males Females | . 0.0 - 3.8 µmol/24hr 0.0 - 3.0 µmol/24hr | Metadrenaline Males Females | . 0.0 - 2.2 µmol/24hr 0.0 - 1.8 µmol/24hr |
Test Usage:
Used to help diagnose or rule out a phaeochromocytoma or other neuroendocrine tumour. Phaeochromocytomas occur in about one of every 1000 hypertensive patients; about half of those affected have paroxysmal hypertension. They occur equally in men and women, primarily during the third through fifth decades of life. The biochemical diagnosis of phaeochromocytoma depends on the demonstration of excessive production of these hormones.
Elevated metadrenaline levels do not always indicate phaeochromocytoma. Elevated results may be caused by physical stress or medications. Many of the patients being tested for phaeochromocytoma have underlying clinical conditions that are associated with increased sympathetic activity such as hypertension, heart failure, stroke, baroreflex failure and cardiogenic shock.