Catecholamines - Urine

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How is the Test Performed?

Catecholamines can be measured in the blood or urine.

A 24-hour urine sample is needed. Your health care provider will instruct you, if necessary, to discontinue drugs or activities that may interfere with the test (see "How to prepare for the test").

• On day 1, urinate into the toilet upon arising in the morning.
• Collect all subsequent urine (in the special container) for the next 24-hours.
• On day 2, urinate into the container in the morning upon arising.
• Cap the container. Keep it in the refrigerator or a cool place during the collection period. Label the container with your name, the date, the time of completion, and return it as instructed.

For an infant:
Thoroughly wash the area around the urethra (the hole where urine flows out). Open a urine collection bag (a plastic bag with an adhesive paper on one end), and place it on your infant. For males, the entire penis can be placed in the bag and the adhesive attached to the skin. For females, the bag is placed over the labia. Place a diaper over the infant (bag and all).

The infant should be checked frequently and the bag changed after the infant has urinated into the bag. For active infants, this procedure may take a couple of attempts since lively infants can displace the bag. The urine is drained into the container for transport to the laboratory.

Deliver it to the laboratory or your health care provider as soon as possible upon completion.