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Geisinger Medical Laboratories Test Catalog
HVA (HOMOVANILLIC ACID), 24 HR URINE W/CREATININE |
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Geisinger Epic Procedure Code: LAB2501
Geisinger Epic ID: 47275
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SPECIMEN COLLECTION |
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Specimen type: |
24-hour urine, collected with 25 mL 6N HCl (preferred) | |
Preferred collection container: |
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Specimen required: |
10 mL aliquot of 24-hour urine collection | |
Patient preparation: |
Patient should avoid alcohol, coffee, tea, tobacco and strenuous exercise prior to collection. It is preferable for the patient to be off medications for three days prior to collection. However, common antihypertensives (diuretics, ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, alpha and beta blockers) cause minimal or no interference. | |
| SPECIMEN PROCESSING |
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Specimen processing instructions: |
Lab personnel (to be determined per site) will test the pH of the urines and adjust to less than 3.0 using 6N HCl before Referred Testing ships the specimen. Record 24-hour urine volume and patient's age on test request form and urine vial. | |
Transport temperature: |
Room temperature. | |
Specimen stability: |
Room temperature:10 days. Refrigerated:14 days. Frozen:90 days. | |
Rejection criteria: |
Preserved urine received refrigerated with pH > 3; | |
TEST DETAILS |
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CPT code(s): |
82570, 83150 | |
| Note: The billing party has sole responsibility for CPT coding. Any questions regarding coding should be directed to the payer being billed. The CPT codes provided by GML are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. | ||
Methodology: |
High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) |
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Synonyms: |
Quest test code 39527, Homovanillic Acid HVA24
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Clinical significance: |
Homovanillic acid (HVA, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenylacetic acid) has been identified as the principal urinary metabolite of dopa and dopamine. HVA is excreted in free form in relatively large amounts, and is frequently measured to support a diagnosis of neuroblastoma and malignant pheochromocytoma. HVA has been used to monitor chronic lead exposure and response to medication, during the treatment of Parkinson's disease. | |