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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: 

1 mL (min 0.7ml) preserved 24-hour urine preserved 6N HCl collected in a plastic 24-hour urine container



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: Refrigerated.


Specimen stability: 

Refrigerated: 30 days. Frozen: 60 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: 
Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS)
Synonyms: 

Quest test code 318, CAT24U


Clinical significance: 

Catecholamines, Fractionated, 24-Hour Urine without Creatinine - The three catecholamines (norepinephrine, epinephrine and dopamine) are the principal secretory products of neural tissue. Clinically, the measurement of circulating catecholamines is valuable in the diagnosis of catecholamine secreting tumors associated chiefly with hypertension (pheochromocytomas, neuroblastomas and gangliomas) and with the evaluation of orthostatic hypotension.


Doctoral Director(s): 
Randin Nelson MD
Review Date:  05/27/2026

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