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Specimen Collection Manual and Test Catalog

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CATECHOLAMINES, FRACTIONATED, 24-HOUR U(W/O CREAT)

Geisinger Epic Procedure Code:  LAB1955    Geisinger Epic ID:  45922

SPECIMEN COLLECTION
Specimen type: 

Aliquot from a 24-hour collection preserved with 6N HCl


Preferred collection container: 
Specimen required: 

10 mL aliquot from a 24-hour collection preserved with 6N HCl. Minimum 5 mL.



SPECIMEN PROCESSING
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: 

Acidified (preserved) urine: Room temperature or refrigerated.


Specimen stability: 

Room temperature: 7 days. Refrigerated: 30 days. Frozen: 49 days.



TEST DETAILS
Additional information: 

Recent surgery, traumatic injury, upright posture, cold, anxiety, pain, clonidine withdrawal, and concurrent acute or chronic illness may produce elevated results.


CPT code(s):  82384
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.

Test includes: 

Dopamine, Epinephrine, Norepinephrine, Total Catecholamines (calculated)


Methodology: 
Electrochemical detection
Kinetic Alkaline Picrate
Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography
Synonyms: 

Quest test code 4646, CAT24U


Clinical significance: 

Fractionated catecholamine measurement is useful in the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma and its differentiation from essential hypertension.


Review Date:  12/20/2024

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