Why test catecholamines

Further testing will be necessary. Your test results should be ready in a couple of days. Your doctor will review them, and you can both discuss your next steps. It helps your doctor narrow down the list of conditions that could be causing your symptoms.

More testing will need to be done, including possibly a catecholamine urine test. Anxiety is a common problem characterized by worry and nervousness. This article lists 6 foods and beverages that can help to reduce it. Pheochromocytoma PCC is a rare kind of tumor that forms in the middle of the adrenal glands.

The tumors cause your adrenal glands to make too many…. Find out when fluctuating blood pressure is normal and when it may signal an underlying condition. Adrenal cancer occurs when cancerous cells form in an adrenal gland, located above the kidney.

Find out what symptoms to watch for, and how the…. When you are in pain and fatigued, finding foods that are both nourishing and easy to prepare is particularly essential. Cologuard is a noninvasive colon cancer screening test done in the privacy of your home. They send nerve impulses in your brain, narrow blood vessels, and raise your heart rate.

People who have a rare type of tumor called a pheochromocytoma have high levels of catecholamines in their urine. These tumors cause high blood pressure. The high blood pressure often goes away if the tumor is taken out. You may need this test if your healthcare provider thinks you have pheochromocytoma. Symptoms may include:. Not everyone with this type of tumor has high blood pressure. Up to 3 in 20 people with this type of tumor have normal blood pressure.

Other symptoms may include anxiety, weakness, and symptoms similar to those of a panic attack. Less common symptoms include blurry vision, pale skin, increased thirst and urination, constipation, belly pain, and weight loss. You might also have this test if you have high blood pressure that doesn't get better with other treatment. There is very little risk to having a blood test. You may have slight pain or bruising at the spot where the needle was put in, but most symptoms go away quickly.

If your results show high levels of catecholamines in your urine or blood, it may mean you have a pheochromocytoma, neuroblastoma, or paraganglioma tumor. If you are being treated for one of these tumors, high levels may mean your treatment is not working.

High levels of these hormones does not always mean you have a tumor. If you have questions about your results or your child's results, talk to your health care provider. These tests can help diagnose certain tumors, but they can't tell whether the tumor is cancerous. Most tumors are not. If your results showed high levels of these hormones, your provider will probably order more tests. These include imaging tests such as a CT scan or an MRI , which can help your provider get more information about a suspected tumor.

Learn more about laboratory tests, reference ranges, and understanding results. The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health. Catecholamine Tests. What are catecholamine tests? Other names: dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine tests, free catecholamines. What are they used for? Catecholamine tests are most often used to diagnose or rule out certain types of rare tumors, including: Pheochromocytoma , a tumor of the adrenal glands.

This type of tumor is usually benign not cancerous. Taking blood from some people may be more difficult than from others. Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight, but may include:. Catecholamines - plasma. Laboratory Tests and Diagnostic Procedures. Evaluation of endocrine function. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; chap Young WF. Adrenal medulla, catecholamines, and pheochromocytoma. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; chap 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 for all medical emergencies.

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