Catecholamines In Blood: Why It Is Done
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Why It Is Done
A catecholamine test is done to help diagnose a tumor in the adrenal glands called a pheochromocytoma. Catecholamine levels in the blood can change quickly, so it may be hard to find high values in a single blood sample. But a special compound, metanephrine, may be found in the blood, which may mean a pheochromocytoma is present. Doctors may want to do a urine test that shows catecholamine levels over 24 hours.
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| Last updated: | August 21, 2006 |
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| Author: | Jan Nissl, RN, BS |
| Reviewed By: | Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine, Alan C. Dalkin, MD - Endocrinology |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer |
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