Metanephrines and Creatinine, Panel, Urine — Screening
Screens urine for metanephrine and normetanephrine, markers that may help evaluate catecholamine-producing tumors.
["This urine test can help identify or rule out some catecholamine-producing tumors, but results must be interpreted with medications, symptoms, and other findings."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 68317-7
- Short code
- Metanephs+Creat pnl Ur
- Synonyms
- Metanephs+Creat pnl Ur
- Category
- kidney
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Red-top tube (SST)
- Units
- N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Specimen volume
- 5 mL
- Stability
- Room temperature: 4h, Refrigerated: 24h, Frozen: 7d
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 4–24 hours
- Order
- routine
What is this test?
This test measures metanephrine and normetanephrine, breakdown products of stress hormones called catecholamines, in urine. Creatinine is also measured to help assess how much urine was collected and account for differences in urine concentration.
Why might I need this test?
It may be used to evaluate episodes of headache, sweating, rapid heartbeat, or high blood pressure. The main concern is a catecholamine-producing tumor, such as pheochromocytoma or paraganglioma.
How is the test performed?
You provide a urine sample, which may be a single collection or a 24-hour collection according to your clinician's instructions. The laboratory measures metanephrines and creatinine using urine testing methods.
How do I prepare for the test?
Follow the collection directions exactly and tell your clinician about medicines, supplements, and recent illness. Some medicines and foods can affect the result, and your clinician may advise temporarily stopping certain items only when safe to do so.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
Elevated metanephrines may suggest a catecholamine-producing tumor, but mild increases can also result from stress, illness, exercise, or certain medicines and foods. An abnormal screening result usually requires repeat or confirmatory testing before a diagnosis is made. A normal result makes these tumors less likely but may not exclude them, particularly if symptoms are strong or the collection was incomplete.
Short name
Urine metanephrines panel
Frequently asked questions
Does this test diagnose pheochromocytoma or paraganglioma?
Why is creatinine included in the urine panel?
Can medicines or foods change the result?
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 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy