Dopamine, Plasma

Dopamine, Plasma

Test Code

14762
82542
14762
82542
Not offered in Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute (IFD) – San Juan Capistrano. Please provide SERVICE AREA INFORMATION to find available tests you can order.
In-home collection is not available in your area through Quest Mobile.

Clinical Significance

Dopamine, Plasma - Measurement of dopamine levels in urine or blood in addition to urinary vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) and homovanillic acid (HVA) levels may aid in the biochemical diagnosis and monitoring of neuroblastomas [1]. This test may also be useful in evaluating dopamine-secreting pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPGLs) [2].

Neuroblastomas occur predominantly in children and are the most common malignancy under 1 year old. Neuroblastomas are catecholamine-metabolizing tumors, and thus catecholamine metabolites (including VMA and HVA) are more reliable than catecholamines as biochemical markers ...

Test Resources

None found for this test
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Test Details

Patient Preparation

Overnight fasting is preferred.
Patient should avoid alcohol, coffee, tea, tobacco and strenuous exercise prior to collection.

Methodology

Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS)

Assay Category

This test was developed and its analytical performance characteristics have been determined by Quest Diagnostics. It has not been cleared or approved by FDA. This assay has been validated pursuant to the CLIA regulations and is used for clinical purposes.

Reference Range(s)

<18 yearsNo Reference Range Available
   
≥18 yearsSupine: <16 pg/mL 
Upright: <27 pg/mL

LOINC® Codes, Performing Laboratory

Service Area must be determined
Overnight fasting is preferred.
Patient should avoid alcohol, coffee, tea, tobacco and strenuous exercise prior to collection.

Methodology

Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS)
This test was developed and its analytical performance characteristics have been determined by Quest Diagnostics. It has not been cleared or approved by FDA. This assay has been validated pursuant to the CLIA regulations and is used for clinical purposes.

Reference Range(s)

<18 yearsNo Reference Range Available
   
≥18 yearsSupine: <16 pg/mL 
Upright: <27 pg/mL
Service Area must be determined

Preferred Specimen(s)

2 mL frozen plasma collected in a sodium heparin (green-top) tube

Alternative Specimen(s)

Frozen plasma collected in: EDTA (lavender-top) tube

Minimum Volume

1 mL

Collection Instructions

Draw specimen in a pre-chilled green-top tube. Patients should be relaxed in either a supine or upright position before blood is drawn. States of anxiety and stress can cause fluctuations in the catecholamine levels. Plasma should be separated in a refrigerated centrifuge within 30 minutes of collection and then frozen immediately at -20° C in plastic vials. Each specimen will be invoiced separately.

Transport Container

Transport tube

Transport Temperature

Frozen

Specimen Stability

  • Room temperature: 6 hours
    Refrigerated: 6 hours
    Frozen: 31 days

Reject Criteria

Gross hemolysis • Received room temperature • Received refrigerated

Setup Schedule

Service Area must be determined
2 mL frozen plasma collected in a sodium heparin (green-top) tube
Frozen plasma collected in: EDTA (lavender-top) tube
1 mL
Draw specimen in a pre-chilled green-top tube. Patients should be relaxed in either a supine or upright position before blood is drawn. States of anxiety and stress can cause fluctuations in the catecholamine levels. Plasma should be separated in a refrigerated centrifuge within 30 minutes of collection and then frozen immediately at -20° C in plastic vials. Each specimen will be invoiced separately.
Transport tube
Frozen
Room temperature: 6 hours
Refrigerated: 6 hours
Frozen: 31 days
Gross hemolysis • Received room temperature • Received refrigerated
Service Area must be determined
Not offered in Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute (IFD) – San Juan Capistrano. Please provide SERVICE AREA INFORMATION to find available tests you can order.
In-home collection is not available in your area through Quest Mobile.
Test Details

Clinical Significance

Test Resources

Reference ranges are provided as general guidance only. To interpret test results use the reference range in the laboratory report.

The CPT codes provided are based on AMA guidance and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payer being billed.

This material contains content from LOINC® (http://loinc.org). The LOINC Table, LOINC Table Core are copyright © 1995-2019, Regenstrief Institute, Inc. and the Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) Committee and is available at no cost under the license at http://loinc.org/license.

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