Specimen Collection Manual and Test Catalog

10 mL random urine with 6N HCl, submitted in a plastic, screw-cap container; minimum 5 mL.

This test needs immediate acidification and can only be collected at Hospital sites.

Patient should avoid food high in indoles (avocado, banana, tomato, plum, walnut, pineapple, and eggplant).

After urine collection, add 6N HCl to maintain a pH below 3. Urine without preservative is acceptable if pH is below 6 and the sample is shipped frozen. Record patients age on test request form and urine vial.

Preserved: Refrigerated. Unpreserved: Frozen

Preserved: Room temperature: 7 days. Refrigerated: 30 days. Frozen: 30 days. 
Unpreserved: Frozen: 30 days

pH >3.0 received unfrozen

Beta Blockers, Atenolol, Bromocriptine, Bronchodilators, Clonidine, Digoxin, Isoniazid, L-Dopa, Labetelol, Methyldopa, Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors, Nitroglycerin, Sympathomimetic Amines, Phenobarbital, Phenothiazines, Phentolamine, Reserprine, Salicylates, Tricyclic Antidepressants

5-Hydroxyindoleacetate/Creatinine, Random Urine

5-HIAA, Carcinoid Screen, Serotonin 5-HIAA random urine, HIAAR, Quest test code 1648

Values above 10 mg/24 hrs occur in carcinoid syndrome. Slight elevations also occur in nontropical sprue and after reserpine administration.