Metanephrines Fractionated by HPLC-MS/MS, Urine

Also known as: META URINE

Clinical Use

Use

This test is primarily used as a first-line diagnostic tool for suspected pheochromocytoma or paraganglioma. It helps measure the concentrations of metanephrines, which are metabolites of catecholamines, in urine. Elevated concentrations of these metabolites can be indicative of neuroendocrine tumors such as pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas.

Special Instructions

Not provided.

Limitations

Increases in the levels of metanephrine and normetanephrine that are less than twice the upper reference limits are often due to physiological stimuli, certain medications, or improper specimen collection. Essential hypertension is sometimes accompanied by slight elevations in these metabolites. High levels may also result from intense physical activity, significant illness, or drug interferences. The assay can be affected by extremes in urine pH, particularly if lower than 2, causing interference.

Test Details

New York Approved

Methodology

Mass Spectrometry

Biomarkers

Metanephrine

Analyte

Metanephrine, Urine - per 24h

Concentration / Level • Quantitative (Continuous) (e.g., copies/mL, % expression)

Normetanephrine

Analyte

Normetanephrine, Urine - per 24h

Concentration / Level • Quantitative (Continuous) (e.g., copies/mL, % expression)

LOINC Codes

Result Codes

35674-1 - Creat ?Tm Ur-mCnc
2162-6 - Creat 24h Ur-mRate
49283-5 - Metaneph+Normetaneph Ur-Imp
19153-6 - Specimen vol ?Tm Ur
30211-7 - Specimen collect Time Spec
21019-5 - Metaneph 24h Ur-mCnc
21422-1 - Normetanephrine 24h Ur-mCnc
19049-6 - Metaneph 24h Ur-mRate
35644-4 - Metaneph/Creat 24h Ur
2671-6 - Normetanephrine 24h Ur-mRate
44342-4 - Normetanephrine/Creat 24h Ur

Result Turnaround Time

1-5 days

Specimen

Urine

Volume

Not provided

Minimum Volume

2.5 mL

Container

ARUP standard transport tube

Collection Instructions

Collect 24-hour or random urine. Refrigerate 24-hour specimen during collection. Thoroughly mix entire collection and transfer a 4 mL aliquot to an ARUP standard transport tube. Adjust pH to 2.0-4.0 with 6M HCl or use an ARUP transport tube containing sulfamic acid for preservation.