Catecholamines In Urine: Results
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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.
| Free catecholamines | Less than 100 micrograms (mcg) or less than 590 nanomoles (nmol) |
|---|---|
| Epinephrine | Less than 20 mcg or less than 109 nmol |
| Norepinephrine | Less than 100 mcg or less than 590 nmol |
| Dopamine | 65–400 mcg or 384–2360 nmol |
| Normetanephrine | 15–80 mcg or 89–473 nmol Less than 6.8 milligrams (mg) or less than 35 micromoles (mcmol) |
| Metanephrine | Less than 1.3 mg or less than 6.7 mcmol |
| Vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) | Less than 6.8 milligrams (mg) or less than 35 micromoles (mcmol) |
Normal urine values may vary in children depending on their age.
High values
- High levels of free catecholamines, vanillylmandelic acid (VMA), or metanephrine can mean an adrenal gland tumor (pheochromocytoma) or another type of tumor that makes catecholamines is present.
- Any major stress, such as burns, a whole-body infection (sepsis), illness, surgery, or traumatic injury, can cause high catecholamine levels.
- Many blood pressure medicines can also cause high catecholamine levels.
Low values
Low values may be caused by diabetes or some nervous system problems.
| Last updated: | July 28, 2008 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS |
| Reviewed By: | Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine, Alan C. Dalkin, MD - Endocrinology |
| Editors: | Maria Essig, Tracy Landauer |
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