AllRefer Health - Caring for your Well Being  

Home | About | FAQs | Contact Us

AllRefer Channels :: Yellow Pages | Reference | Health  

Medical Tests & Exams
Select & Go
 Diet & Nutrition
 Diseases & Conditions 
 Health News
 Injuries & Wounds
 Poisons & Overdoses
 Surgery & Procedures 
 Symptoms Guide
 Special Topics
 Tests & Exams
 Pictures & Images
 Medical Encyclopedia
Google
  Web health.allrefer.com   

You are here : AllRefer.com > Health > Tests & Exams > Catecholamines - Blood

Catecholamines - Blood

Provided by A.D.A.M.

Definition

Why is the Test Performed?

How is the Test Performed?

How to Prepare for the Test?

How will the Test Feel?

Normal Values

What do Abnormal Results Mean?

Special Considerations

Risks

Pictures & Images

Go To Main Page

Alternate Names : Adrenalin - Blood, Dopamine - Blood, Epinephrine - Blood, Norepinephrine - Blood


Definition

This test measures the level of catecholamines in the plasma portion of blood.

Pictures & Images

Blood Test
Blood Test

 
     See all Pictures & Images
Why is the Test Performed?

This test is used primarily to screen for, diagnose, and monitor treatment of pheochromocytoma or neuroblastoma.

Catecholamines are chemically similar small molecules derived from tyrosine, an amino acid. The major catecholamines are dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine (which used to be called adrenalin).

  • Dopamine is a neurotransmitter (a chemical used to transmit impulses between nerve cells), mainly found in the brain.
  • Norepinephrine is the primary neurotransmitter in the sympathetic nervous system (controls "fight or flight" reactions) and is also found in the brain.
  • Epinephrine is not only a brain neurotransmitter but also a major hormone in the body. Epinephrine is secreted from the adrenal medulla in response to low blood glucose, exercise, and various forms of acute stress. Epinephrine causes several responses:
    • A breakdown of glycogen to glucose in the liver
    • The release of fatty acids from fat tissue
    • Vasodilation of small arteries within muscle tissue
    • Increase in rate and strength of the heartbeat


Today's Top News Stories

Twofold Action Urged for Pre-Diabetes - Jul 23, 2008, 16:00
Goal is to prevent progression to the full-blown disease and its huge costs

Targeted Drug Boosts Survival Among Liver Cancer Patients - Jul 23, 2008, 17:00
Sorafenib added three months for those with advanced disease, study finds.

Simple Procedure Improves Male Fertility - Jul 23, 2008, 14:00
Correcting varicose veins in scrotum boosts sperm count, motility, study finds.

Soy Linked to Low Sperm Count - Jul 23, 2008, 19:00
Could affect fertility, especially in overweight and obese men, researchers report.

Clinical Trials Update: July 23, 2008 - Jul 23, 2008, 09:58


<

^ Top

>


Jump to another section

Definition
Why is the Test Performed?
How is the Test Performed?
How to Prepare for the Test?
How will the Test Feel?
Normal Values
What do Abnormal Results Mean?
Special Considerations
Risks
Pictures & Images

Topics that might be of interest to you

Diseases & Conditions

Ganglioneuroblastoma
Ganglioneuroma
Hypoglycemia
Multiple System Atrophy
Neuroblastoma
Pheochromocytoma

Tests & Exams

Catecholamines - Urine
Venipuncture

Other Topics

Adolescent Test or Procedure Preparation
Bleeding
Caffeine in the Diet
Fainting
Infant Test/Procedure Preparation
Niacin
Preschooler Test/Procedure Preparation
School Age Test/Procedure Preparation
Stress and Anxiety
Toddler Test/Procedure Preparation

Review Date : 5/20/2003
Reviewed By : Bridget Martell, M.D., Department of Internal Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

Main Page of Catecholamines - Blood






Featured Topics

Alzheimer's Disease

High Blood Pressure

Crohn's Disease

Impotence

Overactive Bladder


ADAM

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial reviewers. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2003 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Copyright © 2007 AllRefer.com All Rights reserved.
Health Topics: A-Al Am-Az B C-Cj Ck-Cz D E F G H I J K L M N O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q R S-Sl Sm-Sz T U V W X Y Z 0-9
About Us | Help | Privacy Policy | Editorial Policy | Advertising Policy | Accessibility | Terms of Use
Contact Us | Link to Us | User Satisfaction Survey | Healthopedia.com
Page Last Updated: 23 Jul, 2008