Catecholamine Panel, Urine - Saskatoon

Overview

Description

Ordering recommendation

• 24 h urine metanephrines or plasma metanephrines should be the initial test requested in adults where pheochromocytoma is suspected
• For three days before and during collection avoid drug products containing acetaminophen, ASA/salicylate, buspirone, cimetidine, codeine, isoproterenol, labetalol, L-dopa, mandelamine, MAO inhibitors (e.g. phenelzine, tranylcypromine), metoclopramide, methyldopa, and oxycodone. Patient's physician must be consulted about medication discontinuation
• During collection avoid bananas, caffeinated beverages, chocolate, vanilla and peppers
• Random collection accepted on children <18 years
• For adults, 24 hour urine collection is preferred, but testing can be performed on random samples

Reflex testing

• Creatinine; result required for interpretation

Specimen Information

Specimen types accepted

• 24 h urine collection
• Random urine collection (if < 18 years)

Specimen collection container

• Preferred collection container: 24 hour urine jug with no additive
• Alternative collection container (24h aliquot or random sample): sterile wide mouth screw cap container

Collection procedure

• Refrigerate during collection
• Follow 24 hour urine collection instructions
• State exact times, dates and volume of collection on requisition
• Deliver to a hospital test centre or patient service centre within 4 hours of collection

Required volume

• 12 mL

Transport and stability

24 hour urine jug

• Refrigerate during collection
• Adjust pH of an aliquot to < 3 within 4 hours of collection by drop wise addition of 6N HCl and then freeze

Random samples

• Adjust pH to < 3 within 4 hours of collection by drop wise addition of 6N HCl and then freeze

Rejection criteria

• Specimens received where the proper collection protocols were not followed
• Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Acceptance and Rejection Criteria

Performance

Days/times performed

Availability	Shipped Thursdays
Testing site	Referred out by St. Paul’s Hospital Laboratory to University of Alberta Hospital, Edmonton, AB

 

Maximum laboratory time

Result reporting

• 14 day turnaround time by testing laboratory

Other information

Additional comment

• Panel includes epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine

Last Updated: January 9, 2026