Plasma Catecholamine (Adrenaline and Noradrenaline) Mass Concentration
This test measures the levels of adrenaline (epinephrine) and noradrenaline (norepinephrine) in your blood. These hormones help regulate your body’s response to stress and control heart rate, blood pressure, and energy use.
["Assesses your body’s stress response and nerve system function by checking key hormones linked to blood pressure and heart activity."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 12522-9
- Short code
- CATAP2
- Synonyms
- Catechols sp2 p chal Plas-mCnc
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- plasma
- Container
- Pre-chilled lavender-top (EDTA) tube, with optional sodium metabisulfite preservative for catecholamine stability
- Units
- N/A
- Ref low
- 70
- Ref high
- 750
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–99 years
- Method
- High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Electrochemical Detection (HPLC-ECD) or Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
- CPT
- 82384
- SNOMED
- 39507009
- Specimen volume
- 3-5 mL of whole blood collected in EDTA tube; plasma yield approximately 1.5-2.5 mL
- Stability
- Plasma separated immediately and frozen at -20°C or colder; catecholamines are stable for up to 1 month at -20°C or 6 months at -70°C. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles. Hemolyzed specimens should be rejected.
- Hemolysis max
- 50
- Lipemia max
- 100
- Icterus max
- 25
- TAT
- 72–168 hours
- Order
- routine
Why This Test Might Be Ordered
Your doctor may recommend this test if you have symptoms like high blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, anxiety, or signs of a condition affecting your adrenal glands, nerves, or blood pressure. It can also help diagnose or monitor conditions such as pheochromocytoma (a rare tumor affecting hormone production), certain nerve disorders, or reactions to stress or medications.
What to Expect Before the Test
No special preparation is usually needed, but you may be asked to avoid certain medications (like beta-blockers) or foods that could affect hormone levels (such as caffeine or certain supplements) for a short time before testing. If you’re taking blood pressure medications, check with your doctor first.
What the Test Involves
A healthcare professional will draw blood from a vein in your arm. The blood sample will be sent to a lab to measure the exact amounts of adrenaline and noradrenaline in your plasma.
What the Results Mean
High levels of these hormones may indicate conditions like pheochromocytoma, nerve disorders, or severe stress reactions. Low levels could suggest problems with your adrenal glands or other underlying health issues. Your doctor will interpret the results in the context of your symptoms and medical history.
Reference range
Reference ranges for plasma catecholamines (epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine) in the second specimen post-challenge are interpreted in conjunction with the first specimen and clinical context. Supine baseline ranges: Norepinephrine 70-750 pg/mL; Epinephrine 0-110 pg/mL; Dopamine 0-30 pg/mL. Post-challenge values exceeding baseline by >2-fold may suggest pheochromocytoma when combined with clinical findings.N/A
Patients should avoid caffeine, tobacco, alcohol, and vigorous exercise for at least 24 hours prior to specimen collection. Certain medications (e.g., tricyclic antidepressants, MAO inhibitors, alpha-blockers, beta-blockers, levodopa, sympathomimetic amines) should be discontinued for 2 weeks prior if clinically feasible, as they may interfere with catecholamine metabolism. Patient should fast for at least 8 hours and remain recumbent for 20-30 minutes prior to and during collection. The specific provocative or suppressive challenge protocol (e.g., clonidine suppression test, glucagon stimulation test) must be documented and followed precisely.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
Clinical Significance: This test is crucial for diagnosing or managing conditions that involve abnormal hormone production or nerve system dysfunction. Elevated catecholamine levels can signal tumors, nerve disorders, or other metabolic issues that require prompt medical attention. Your doctor will use these results to guide treatment plans, such as medication adjustments or further diagnostic testing.
Short name
Plasma Catecholamines
Frequently asked questions
What does a high or low result mean?
How long will it take to get my results?
Can I eat or drink before this test?
Sources
- 1
- 2Lab Tests OnlineSource
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 14, 2026. · Read our editorial policy