Urine Metanephrines
Biochemistry Overview / Directory
Purpose of the test
Catecholamines are a group of biogenic amines derived from the amino acid tyrosine and bearing the catechol (3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-moiety. The group comprises of adrenaline, noradrenaline and dopamine. Measurement of these catecholamines is useful in the diagnosis of neurochromaffin tumours (phaeochromocytoma, neuroblastoma and paragangliomas). Catecholamine secreting tumours account for <0.5% of all hypertensive patients and measuring these biogenic amines is useful for screening purposes.
Noradrenaline and adrenaline are catalysed by catechol-O-methyl transferase to form normetanephrine and metanephrine respectively. Many clinical studies have shown the analysis of urine metanephrines to be more sensitive in phaeochromcytoma diagnosis than urine catecholamines.
Reference Range
Hypertension population:
Urine Normetnephrine = < 4.4µmol/24hr
Urine Metanephrine = < 2.0 µmol/24hr
Healthy individuals:
Urine Normetnephrine = < 1.95 µmol/24hr
Urine Metanephrine = < 1.52 µmol/24hr
Sample Requirements
Sample – plain 24hr urine collection (acidified urine is also acceptable.)
Storage and Transport
Send the completed 24 hour urine collection to the Central Specimen Reception laboratory ASAP.
Turnaround Time
5 working days.
Price
Price available on application - please contact adrianturner1@nhs.net. Discounts could be available for significant workloads.
Contacts
Dr. Hagosa Abraha
T 020 3299 4130
Dr. Roy Sherwood
T 020 3299 3726
Mr. Colin Stone
T 020 3299 4128
