Question 1

why would a doctor order a 24 hour urine for catecholamines test?

Accepted Answer

To check high levels: Elevated catecholamines in the urine can be associated with hypertension, kidney problems or some excess secretion of catecholamines from other body tissues and creat hypertension and flushing.

Question 2

what are the causes of elevated catecholamines in a 24 hour urine test?

Accepted Answer

Possible: adrenal over secretion or a tumor like a pheochromocytoma would be common causes

Question 3

what are the other causes of elevated catecholamines in a 24 hour urine test if it is not a pheochromocytoma?

Accepted Answer

How High?: There are many causes of elevated catechols in a 24 hour urine sample. Depending on the test used medications can interfere with catechol levels, including things as simple as acetaminophen &amp; certain beta blocker medications. If only mildly elevated something as simple as stress can elev the labs. There is a cond called a paraganglioma. The cond's make diff catechols, the breakdown is helpful.

Question 4

had 24 hour urine for catecholamines and 5 hiaa. results were elevated epinephrine levels. what could that mean? my symptoms include episodes or rapid/forceful heartbeat, tingling in hands...

Accepted Answer

Further testing: The 24 hr urine is a screening test, and if abnormal, may require more detailed blood testing, or even referral to an endocrinologist.  This raises the question of a possible adrenal gland abnormality, but epinephrine levels may be elevated just in response to stress.

Question 5

24 hour urine catecholamine for a pheo-  if a person does not have an episode during the 24 hours would it still show elevated levels. if so how?

Accepted Answer

Usually, yes: A pheo usually secretes catecholamines continuously, so it is not usually necessary to time the collection. These catecholamines yield a lot of breakdown products (eg. metanephrines).  However, in some circumstances, if there is a very high suspicion for pheo and the initial tests are negative, and the attacks are sporadic, a urine collection timed with the episode is reasonable.

Question 6

what is the definition or description of: 24hr urine catecholamines?

Accepted Answer

Urine: These are breakdown products in patients suspected of having pheochromovytoma.

Question 7

what does cortisone 24 hour, urine ; test mean.
and if i was told to get this done, what are the doctor trying to check?

Accepted Answer

24 hour cortisol: A 24 hour cortisol/cortisone test collects urine for 24 hours and measures the content of cortisol/cortisone. 
It is a screening test to see if your system is making too much cortisol (hypercortisolism, also known as Cushing syndrome).

Question 8

what instructions wud a doctor give to a patient before taking a 24 hour urine cortisol test?what wud the patient have to take care of for the test?

Accepted Answer

Cortisol: All you need to do is collect urine for 24 hours and take the bottle(s) to the laboratory.

Question 9

my doctor wants me to complete a 24 hour urine test (cortisol) because he suspects i might have cushings. if i drink any alcohol will it ruin the test?

Accepted Answer

Avoid it: Best to avoid alcohol before any test. Chronic alcoholism can show up like Cushing's, too.

Question 10

would chromograni cga and 24 hour urine screen show carcinoid syndrome and highlight tumor, my prime doctor refuses to test, also wont allow sereto bt

Accepted Answer

Carcinoid syndrome: The diagnosis of carcinoid syndrome can be complex.  If there are suspicious symptoms, a 24 hr urine for 5ht is a good start. Chromogranin a is non specific, but is useful for DX and tracking.

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Doctor answers about:

Why would a doctor order a 24 hour urine for catecholamines test

A member asked:

Why would a doctor order a 24 hour urine for catecholamines test?

A member asked:

What are the causes of elevated catecholamines in a 24 hour urine test?

A member asked:

What are the other causes of elevated catecholamines in a 24 hour urine test if it is not a pheochromocytoma?

A member asked:

Had 24 hour urine for catecholamines and 5 hiaa. results were elevated epinephrine levels. what could that mean? my symptoms include episodes or rapid/forceful heartbeat, tingling in hands...

A member asked:

24 hour urine catecholamine for a pheo- if a person does not have an episode during the 24 hours would it still show elevated levels. if so how?

A member asked:

What is the definition or description of: 24hr urine catecholamines?

A member asked:

What does cortisone 24 hour, urine ; test mean. and if i was told to get this done, what are the doctor trying to check?

A member asked:

What instructions wud a doctor give to a patient before taking a 24 hour urine cortisol test?what wud the patient have to take care of for the test?

A member asked:

My doctor wants me to complete a 24 hour urine test (cortisol) because he suspects i might have cushings. if i drink any alcohol will it ruin the test?

A member asked:

Would chromograni cga and 24 hour urine screen show carcinoid syndrome and highlight tumor, my prime doctor refuses to test, also wont allow sereto bt

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