Metanephrines, Fractionated, Plasma Free

Also known as: Metanephrine, Normetanephrine, Plasma Metanephrines, Quantitative Metanephrines

Clinical Use

Use

Evaluation of catecholamine-secreting tumors of the adrenal medulla (pheochromocytomas) and extra-adrenal sympathetic and para-sympathetic paragangliomas.

Special Instructions

Not provided.

Limitations

The low prevalence of PPGL combined with the limited diagnostic specificity means false-positive results far outnumber true-positive results. Inappropriate sampling conditions and a number of medications and foods should be considered potential causes of borderline elevations. All patients with positive test results should receive appropriate follow-up based on the pretest probability of tumor and test result patterns. Confirmatory testing after exclusion of false-positive result sources is often useful for ruling out disease.

Test Details

Methodology

Mass Spectrometry

Biomarkers

Metanephrine

Analyte

Metanephrine, Pl

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

Normetanephrine

Analyte

Normetanephrine, Pl

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

LOINC Codes

Order Codes

38494-1 - Metaneph Free SerPl-mCnc

Result Codes

2669-0 - Normetanephrine SerPl-mCnc
38494-1 - Metaneph Free SerPl-mCnc

Result Turnaround Time

3-6 days

Specimen

Plasma

Volume

1.2 mL

Minimum Volume

0.7 mL

Container

Lavender-top (EDTA) tube

Collection Instructions

Draw blood in chilled lavender-top (EDTA) tube. Invert to mix with preservatives. Centrifuge and transfer the plasma to a labeled plastic transport tube. Refrigerate or freeze separated plasma immediately. The patient should be in a fully recumbent position for at least 20 minutes before and during sample collection.