What do catecholamines do

Don't use tobacco before the test. If you have your period on the day of the test, tell the lab person doing the collection. Be sure your healthcare provider knows about all other medicines, herbs, vitamins, and supplements you are taking. This includes medicines that don't need a prescription and any illegal drugs you may use.

Search Encyclopedia. Catecholamines Urine Does this test have other names? This test measures the levels of catecholamines in your urine. Why do I need this test? Symptoms may include: Headaches Sweating Rapid heart rate palpitations Trouble breathing Panic attack High blood pressure Not everyone with this type of tumor has high blood pressure.

What other tests might I have along with this test? How is this test done? Doctors may want to do a urine test that measures catecholamine levels over 24 hours. You may be asked to avoid certain foods and fluids for 2 to 3 days before having this test, such as:. You may be asked to not eat or drink anything for 10 hours before this test.

Do not use tobacco for 4 hours before the blood test. Your doctor may ask you to stop certain medicines, such as blood pressure medicines, before the test. Do not take cold or allergy remedies, including aspirin, or nonprescription diet pills for 2 weeks before the test. Having a blood sample taken can cause stress. This may increase catecholamine levels. Be sure to keep warm, because being cold can also increase your levels. Ask for a blanket if you feel cold.

When a blood sample is taken, you may feel nothing at all from the needle. Or you might feel a quick sting or pinch. There is very little chance of having a problem from this test. When a blood sample is taken, a small bruise may form at the site. Each lab has a different range for what's normal. Epinephrine is also known as adrenaline. Catecholamine tests measure the amount of these hormones in your urine or blood. Catecholamine tests are most often used to diagnose or rule out certain types of rare tumors, including:.

You or your child may need this test if you have symptoms of a tumor that affect catecholamine levels. Symptoms in adults include:. A catecholamine test may be done in urine or blood. Urine testing is done more often because catecholamine blood levels can change quickly and may also be affected by the stress of testing. But blood testing can be useful in helping to diagnose a pheochromocytoma tumor.

If you have this tumor, certain substances will be released into the bloodstream. For a catecholamine urine test , your health care provider will ask you to collect all urine during a hour period. This is called a hour urine sample test. For hour urine sample test, your health care provider or a laboratory professional will give you a container to collect your urine and instructions on how to collect and store your samples.

Test instructions usually include the following steps:. During a blood test , a health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes. You may also be asked to avoid stress and vigorous exercise before your test, as these can affect cathecholamine levels.

Certain medicines may also affect levels. Catecholamines and stress. Endocrine regulations. Chrousos GP. Organization and Integration of the Endocrine System. Sleep Med Clin. American Psychological Association. Stress effects on the body. November Ranabir S, Reetu K. Stress and hormones. Indian J Endocrinol Metab. Psychological vulnerability and stress: the effects of self-affirmation on sympathetic nervous system responses to naturalistic stressors.

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