Catecholamines, Fractionated, Plasma
Test code
CPT code(s)*
Clinical significance
Test resources
Please visit our Clinical Education Center to stay informed on any future publications, webinars, or other education opportunities.
Details
Includes
Dopamine, Epinephrine, Norepinephrine and Total Catecholamines (calculated)
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.
Alternative name(s)
Catecholamines, Free,Dopamine,Epinephrine,Noradrenalin,Adrenaline,Norepinephrine
Specimen requirements | |
|---|---|
| Patient preparation | 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. Patient should avoid alcohol, coffee, tea, tobacco and strenuous exercise prior to collection. Overnight fasting is preferred. |
| 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 vacutainer. After drawing specimen, place green-top tube in an ice bath. Centrifuge 20 minutes 1000xg. The plasma must be free of RBCs. Freeze on dry ice to transport. |
| Transport container | Transport tube |
| Transport temperature | Frozen |
| Specimen stability | Room temperature: 6 hours |
| Reject criteria | Received room temperature • Received refrigerated |
Reference Range(s)
| Catecholamines, Total (<18 years) | Not established |
| Catecholamines, Total (≥18 years) | |
| Epinephrine | |
| Supine | <58 pg/mL |
| Upright | <82 pg/mL |
| Norepinephrine | |
| Supine | 149-564 pg/mL |
| Upright | 199-937 pg/mL |
| Dopamine | |
| Supine | <16 pg/mL |
| Upright | <27 pg/mL |
| Total Catecholamines | |
| Supine | <632 pg/mL |
| Upright | <1046 pg/mL |
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.
The tests listed by specialty and category are a select group of tests offered. For a complete list of Quest Diagnostics tests, please adjust the filter options chosen, or refer to our Directory of Services.