Purpose: To measure the levels of metanephrine, a metabolite of catecholamines (such as adrenaline, noradrenaline, and dopamine), in urine over a 24-hour period. Procedure: The patient collects urine over a 24-hour period in a special container pr...

Risk Assessment

• High Levels of Metanephrines:
  • Associated with conditions like pheochromocytomas, paragangliomas, and severe stress.
  • May also be elevated due to medications (e.g., a...

Normal Range

Ranges may vary by laboratory, but approximate normal values for 24-hour urinary metanephrines are:

• Total Metanephrines: < 1.3 mg/24 hours (varies slightly between labs)
...

Interpretation

• Elevated Levels:
  • Strong indicator of pheochromocytoma or other neuroendocrine tumors.
  • Further testing like plasma metanephrines, imaging (CT/MRI), or genetic tests m...

Sample Type and Collection

• Sample Type: 24-hour urine collection.
• Procedure:
  1. Discard the first-morning urine sample.
  2. Collect all urine for the next 24 hou...