Catecholamines are hormones produced by the adrenal glands, which are found on top of the kidneys. They are released into the blood during times of physical or emotional stress. The major catecholamines are dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine (which used to be called adrenalin).
This article discusses the test to check the level of catecholamines in a sample of blood.
Catecholamines are more often measured with a urine test than with a blood test. See: Catecholamines - urine
Alternative NamesNorepinephrine - blood; Epinephrine - blood; Adrenalin - blood; Dopamine - blood
How the test is performedBlood is typically drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The site is cleaned with germ-killing medicine (antiseptic). The health care provider wraps an elastic band around the upper arm to apply pressure to the area and make the vein swell with blood.
Next, the health care provider gently inserts a needle into the vein. The blood collects into an airtight vial or tube attached to the needle. The elastic band is removed from your arm.
Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding.
In infants or young children, a sharp tool called a lancet may be used to puncture the skin and make it bleed. The blood collects into a small glass tube called a pipette, or onto a slide or test strip. A bandage may be placed over the area if there is any bleeding.
How to prepare for the testThe accuracy of the test can be affected by certain foods and drugs, as well as physical activity and stress.
Foods that can increase catecholamine levels include:
You should avoid these foods for several days prior to the test, particularly if both blood and urine catecholamines are to be measured.
You should also avoid stressful situations and vigorous exercise, which can both interfere with test results.
Drugs that can increase catecholamine measurements include:
Drugs that can decrease catecholamine measurements include:
Never stop taking any medication without first talking to your doctor.
How the test will feelSome people feel discomfort when the needle is inserted. Others may notice only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.
Why the test is performedThis test is used to diagnose or rule out a pheochromocytoma or neuroblastoma. It may also be done in patients with those conditions to determine if treatment is working.
Normal ValuesEpinephrine: 0-900 picograms/milliliter (pg/ml)
Norepinephrine: 0-600 pg/ml
Note: Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.
What abnormal results meanHigher-than-normal levels of blood catecholamines may suggest:
Additional conditions under which the test may be performed include Shy-Drager syndrome.
What the risks areThere is very little risk involved with having your blood taken. Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Taking blood from some people may be more difficult than from others.
Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include:
Young WF Jr. Adrenal medulla, catecholamines, and pheochromocytoma. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 246.
Ferri FF. Laboratory tests and interpretation of results. In: Ferri FF, ed. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2008: Instant Diagnosis and Treatment. 1st ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2008:section IV.
Catecholamines are hormones produced by the adrenal glands, which are found on top of the kidneys. They are released into the blood during times of physical or emotional stress. The major catecholamines are dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine (which used to be called adrenalin).
This article discusses the test to check the level of catecholamines in a sample of blood.
Catecholamines are more often measured with a urine test than with a blood test. See: Catecholamines - urine
Alternative NamesNorepinephrine - blood; Epinephrine - blood; Adrenalin - blood; Dopamine - blood
How the test is performedBlood is typically drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The site is cleaned with germ-killing medicine (antiseptic). The health care provider wraps an elastic band around the upper arm to apply pressure to the area and make the vein swell with blood.
Next, the health care provider gently inserts a needle into the vein. The blood collects into an airtight vial or tube attached to the needle. The elastic band is removed from your arm.
Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding.
In infants or young children, a sharp tool called a lancet may be used to puncture the skin and make it bleed. The blood collects into a small glass tube called a pipette, or onto a slide or test strip. A bandage may be placed over the area if there is any bleeding.
How to prepare for the testThe accuracy of the test can be affected by certain foods and drugs, as well as physical activity and stress.
Foods that can increase catecholamine levels include:
You should avoid these foods for several days prior to the test, particularly if both blood and urine catecholamines are to be measured.
You should also avoid stressful situations and vigorous exercise, which can both interfere with test results.
Drugs that can increase catecholamine measurements include:
Drugs that can decrease catecholamine measurements include:
Never stop taking any medication without first talking to your doctor.
How the test will feelSome people feel discomfort when the needle is inserted. Others may notice only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.
Why the test is performedThis test is used to diagnose or rule out a pheochromocytoma or neuroblastoma. It may also be done in patients with those conditions to determine if treatment is working.
Normal ValuesEpinephrine: 0-900 picograms/milliliter (pg/ml)
Norepinephrine: 0-600 pg/ml
Note: Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.
The examples above show the common measurements for results for these tests. Some laboratories use different measurements or may test different specimens.
What abnormal results meanHigher-than-normal levels of blood catecholamines may suggest:
Additional conditions under which the test may be performed include Shy-Drager syndrome.
What the risks areThere is very little risk involved with having your blood taken. Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Taking blood from some people may be more difficult than from others.
Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include:
Young WF Jr. Adrenal medulla, catecholamines, and pheochromocytoma. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 246.
Guber HA, Farag AF, Lo J, Sharp J. Evaluation of endocrine function. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 21st ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2006:chap 24.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 02/01/2011
Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
catecholamines are chemical transmitters,polar compounds readily oxidized has catechol rings and amines such as dopamine nor-epinpherene and serotenie non- catecholamines with out catechol rings
Determining your blood type, requires your blood to be tested. If you do not know your blood type, request a blood test from your doctor. If you donate blood, the blood bank would also be able to tell you your blood type.
Yes, blood is a mixture (Colloid). Blood contains plasmas, RBC (Red Blood Cells), WBC (White Blood Cells) and Platelets.
. What is the relation of blood pressure and blood colloids to urine formation?
Yes, any blood type can take from o blood. Everyone knows that, silly.- Everyone can take O- blood, but only positive blood types (O+, A+, B+ & AB+) can take O+ blood.
Yes, noncatecholamines cross the BBB more readily than catecholamines, because noncatecholamines are less polarized than catecholamines.
The catecholamines test can be performed on either blood or urine.
Catecholamines are soluble in water.
catecholamines are chemical transmitters,polar compounds readily oxidized has catechol rings and amines such as dopamine nor-epinpherene and serotenie non- catecholamines with out catechol rings
No, they are drugs that counteract the effect of catecholamines between synapses and suppress inotropic effect of the heart muscle
tyrosine
no serotonin is not a catecholamine. Catecholamines are dopamine, epinepherine and norepinepherine.
epinephrine and norepinephrine
Epinephrine, Norepinephrine, and Dopamine.
Chromaffin cells.
Catecholamines
John Xavier Wilson has written: 'The renin-angiotensin system, catecholamines and blood pressure in the Pekin duck, Anas platyrhynchos'