Catecholamines in Urine

Dopamine Measurement in Urine, Epinephrine Measurement in Urine, Metanephrine Measurement in Urine, Norepinephrine Measurement in Urine, Vanillymandelic Acid Measurement in Urine

Results

A test for catecholamines measures the amount of epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine in the urine.

Normal

Normal values may vary widely from lab to lab.

Catecholamines in a 24-hour urine sample

Free catecholamines	Less than 100 micrograms (µg) or less than 590 nanomoles (nmol)
Epinephrine	Less than 20 µg or less than 109 nmol
Norepinephrine	Less than 100 µg or less than 590 nmol
Dopamine	65–400 µg or 384–2360 nmol
Vanillylmandelic acid (VMA)	Less than 6.8 milligrams (mg) or less than 35 micromole (µmol)
Metanephrine	Less than 1.3 mg or less than 6.7 µmol
Normetanephrine	15–80 µg or 89–473 nmol

Normal urine values may vary in children depending on their age.

High values

• High levels of catecholamines, vanillylmandelic acid (VMA), or metanephrine can mean an adrenal gland tumor (pheochromocytoma) or another type of tumor that makes catecholamines is present.
• High levels may also be seen with any major stress, such as burns, a whole-body infection (sepsis), illness, surgery, or traumatic injury.
• Many blood pressure medicines can also cause high catecholamine levels.

Low values

Low values may be caused by diabetes or some nervous system problems.

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Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated: August 21, 2006
Medical Review:	Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine Alan C. Dalkin, MD - Endocrinology
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