A first- and second-order screening test for the presumptive diagnosis of catecholamine-secreting pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas
Confirming positive plasma metanephrine results
Specimen Type
24-Hour Urine
Specimen Collection / Processing Instructions
Patient Preparation: Tricyclic antidepressants, labetalol, and sotalol medications may elevate levels of metanephrines producing results that cannot be interpreted. If clinically feasible, it is optimal to discontinue these medications at least 1 week before collection. For advice on assessing the risk of removing patients from these medications and alternatives, consider consultation with a specialist in endocrinology or hypertension
Collect urine for 24 hours
Add 10 g (pediatric: 3 g) of boric acid or 25 mL (pediatric: 15 mL) of 50% acetic acid as preservative at start of collection.
All specimens will be evaluated at Mayo Clinic Laboratories for test suitability.
Limitations
This test utilizes a liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry method and is not affected by the interfering substances that affected the previously utilized spectrophotometric (Pisano reaction) method (ie, diatrizoate, chlorpromazine, hydrazine derivatives, imipramine, monamine oxidase [MAO] inhibitors, methyldopa, phenacetin, ephedrine, or epinephrine)
This method is not subject to the known interference of acetaminophen (seen with the plasma metanephrine HPLCEC method)
Methodology
Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) Stable Isotope Dilution Analysis
Estimated TAT
3-5 days
Testing Schedule
Monday-Friday
Test Includes
Metanephrine
Normetanephrine
Total Metanephrines
Retention
14 days
CPT Code(s)
83835
Reference Range
Fraction:
Metanephrine (mcg/24h)
Normetanephrine (mcg/24h)
Total Metanephrines (mcg/24h)
Hypertensive
< 400
< 900
< 1300
Normotensive: Age (years)*
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male
Female
3 - 8
29 - 92
18 - 144
34 - 169
29 - 145
47 - 223
57 - 210
9 - 12
59 - 188
43 - 122
84 - 422
55 - 277
201 - 528
107 - 394
13 - 17
69 - 221
33 - 185
91 - 456
57 - 286
120 - 603
113 - 414
18 - 29
44 - 261
30 - 180
103 - 390
103 - 390
190 - 583
142 - 510
30 - 39
111 - 419
111 - 419
200 - 614
149 - 535
40 - 49
119 - 451
119 - 451
211 - 646
156 - 561
50 - 59
128 - 484
128 - 484
222 - 680
164 - 588
60 - 69
138 - 521
138 - 521
233 - 716
171 - 616
≥ 70
148 - 560
148 - 560
246 - 753
180 - 646
*Reference values have not been established for patients that are <36 months of age