Catecholamines, Fractionated, Plasma

Catecholamines, Fractionated, Plasma

What’s Being Tested:

• Catecholamines
• Epinephrine
• Norepinephrine
• Dopamine
  

Fasting: No

Specimen: Blood (Draw Location | How It Works | FAQs)

Important Note:

• Kit must be picked up and returned to draw station.
• Avoid patient stress. Many drugs (reserpine and alpha methyldopa, levodopa, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, and sympathomimetic amines) may interfere and should be discontinued two weeks prior to specimen collection. Nose drops, sinus and cough medicines, bronchodilators and appetite suppressants, a₂-agonists, calcium channel blockers, converting enzyme inhibitors, bromocriptine, phenothiazine, tricyclic antidepressants, a- and ?-blockers, and labetalol may interfere. Mandelamine? interferes, but thiazides do not. Caffeine products should be avoided before and during collection. The patient should not be subjected to hypoglycemia or exertion. Increased intracranial pressure and clonidine withdrawal can cause false-positive results.