General Health

The measurement of circulating catecholamines is useful in the diagnosis of catecholamine secreting tumors associated with hypertension.

Components:
Epinephrine
Norepinephrine
Dopamine
Total Catechol (Nor + Epi)

*Overnight fasting is required. Alcohol, coffee, tea, tobacco, and strenuous exercise should be avoided prior to collection.  Walnuts, bananas, and α-methyldopa (Aldomet®) should be avoided for a week prior to sampling. Other drug interference may occur, including epinephrine and epinephrine-like drugs (eg, nosedrops, sinus and cough preparations, bronchodilators, appetite suppressants). Test is unreliable in subjects on levodopa or methenamine mandelate.  Patient must be relaxed and not stressed