Test Overview
Test Methodology

Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)

Reference Range *

Age specific reference ranges provided with report.

* Reference ranges may change over time. Please refer to the original patient report when evaluating results.

Test Limitations

Medications that may interfere with catecholamines and metabolites include amphetamines and ampehtamine-like compounds, appetite suppressants, bromocriptine, buspirone, caffeine, carbidopa-levopa (Sinemet), clonidine, dexamethasone, diuretics, ethanol, isoproterenol, methyldopa (Aldomet), MAO inhibitors, nicotine, nose drops, propafenone (Rythmol), reserpine, theophylline, tricyclic antidepressants, and vasodilators.

Test Details
Days Set Up
Monday - Saturday
Analytic Time

3 - 6 days

Soft Order Code
CATU
MiChart Code
Catecholamines, fractionated, urine, 24 hour
Synonyms
  • CATECHOLAMINES, URINE
  • Catecholamine Fractionation, Urine
  • Catecholamines, Free, Urine
  • Catecholamines, Unconjugated, Urine
  • Epinephrine, Urine
  • Norepinephrine, Urine
  • Unconjugated Catecholamines
  • Catocholimine
  • CATECHOLEMINES, URINE
  • EPU
  • NOREPU
  • CATU-D
  • DOPAMINE
  • EPINEPHRIN
  • NOREPINEPH
  • EPINEPHRINE
  • NOREPINEPHRINE
Laboratory
Sendout
Reference Laboratory
Mayo CATU
Section
Special Testing
Specimen Requirements
Collection

If no preservative has been added to the urine at the start, Mayo is no longer able to run testing. It needs to be canceled and recollected. Plain urine refrigerated is no longer acceptable either. 1/25/24

Collection Instructions

Collect 24 hour urine specimen. Add 25 mL of 50% acetic acid to container prior to start of collection to maintain pH between 2 and 4 and refrigerate specimen during collection. Mix well, measure 24 hour urine volume, aliquot urine into a plastic urine container and refrigerate. Record total 24 hour urine volume and collection dates/times on request form. If no preservative has been added to the urine at the start, Mayo is no longer able to run testing. It needs to be canceled and recollected. Plain urine refrigerated is no longer acceptable either. 1/25/24
Use 15 mL of 50% acetic acid for children less than 5 years old.

Special Handling

If no preservative has been added to the urine at the start, Mayo is no longer able to run testing. It needs to be canceled and recollected. Plain urine refrigerated is no longer acceptable either. 1/25/24

Alternate Specimen
24 hour urine with 6N HCl as preservative
Normal Volume
2 mL aliquot of 24 hour urine collection
Minimum Volume
1.5 mL aliquot of 24 hour urine collection
Storage Temperature
Refrigerated preferred, frozen acceptable
Rejection Criteria
If no preservative has been added to the urine at the start, Mayo is no longer able to run testing. It needs to be canceled and recollected. Plain urine refrigerated is no longer acceptable either. 1/25/24
Additional Information

Test includes epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine. Test sent to Mayo Clinic Laboratories.

Billing
CPT Code
82384
Fee Code
20412