Test Details

Mnemonic

UCATE

Ordering Code

1006955

CPT-4 Code(s)

82384, 82570

Specimen Information

Patient Preparation

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

Collect

24 hour urine

Specimen Preparation

Send a 25 mL acidified aliquot refrigerated in a screw-capped plastic urine cup. Record total volume on test requisition and specimen label.

Alternate Specimen

Alternate method of collection for 24 hour collection: Refrigerate urine during collection (critical) and add 25 mL 6N HCl to the entire collection within 4 hours of completing collection. Mix the collection well before checking the pH. Ensure pH is between 1 and 3. Record total volume on test request and on container label. Send 25 mL aliquot. Refrigerate. If other tests are ordered requiring pH other than 1 - 3 you may acidify a 25.0 mL aliquot of the 24 hour collection.

Minimum Volume

10.0 mL

Transport Temperature

Refrigerated

Stability

With Preservatives:
Room temperature: 72 hours
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: 30 days

Without Preservatives:
Not stable at any temperature

Methodology

High Performance Liquid Chromatography
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Reference Range

Epinephrine:
Age Epinephrine mcg/day
<1 year 0 - 3
1 year 0 - 4
2 - 3 years 0 - 6
4 - 9 years 0 - 10
10 - 15 years 0 - 20
≥16 years 0 - 20

Norepinephrine:
Age Range
<1 year 0 - 10 mcg/day
1 year 1 - 17 mcg/day
2 - 3 years 4 - 29 mcg/day
4 - 9 years 8 - 45 mcg/day
10 - 15 years 13 - 65 mcg/day
≥16 years 15 - 80 mcg/day

Total (N+E):
Age Range
<1 year 0 - 13 mcg/day
1 year 1 - 21 mcg/day
2 - 3 years 4 - 35 mcg/day
4 - 9 years 8 - 55 mcg/day
10 - 15 years 14 - 85 mcg/day
≥16 years 15 - 100 mcg/day

Dopamine:
Age Range
<1 year 0 - 85 mcg/day
1 year 10 - 140 mcg/day
2 - 3 years 40 - 260 mcg/day
4 - 9 years 65 - 400 mcg/day
10 - 15 years 65 - 400 mcg/day
≥16 years 65 - 400 mcg/day

Creatinine:
Male: 1.0 - 2.0 g/24 hours
Female: 0.8 - 1.8 g/24 hours
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Performing Laboratory

Warde Medical Laboratory
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New York DOH Approval Status

No
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