This panel contains the following tests:

• Epinephrine
• Norepinephrine
• Dopamine

The adrenal glands make large amounts of catecholamines as a reaction to stress. The main catecholamines are epinephrine (adrenaline), norepinephrine (noradrenaline), and dopamine. Catecholamines help the body respond to stress or fright and prepare the body for "fight-or-flight" reactions.

Catecholamines increase heart rate (palpitations), blood pressure, breathing rate, muscle strength, and mental alertness. They also lower the amount of blood going to the skin and increase blood going to the major organs, such as the brain, heart, and kidneys.

Certain rare tumors of the adrenal glands can also increase the amount of catecholamines in urine.

Note

Always consult with your prescribing physician before making any changes to medication use. Epinephrine, epinephrine-like drugs (i.e. nasal sprays, sinus and cough preparations, bronchodilators, appetite suppressants), and alpha-methyldopa are all medications that may interfere with the results of this test.

Instructions

This is a 24-hour urine collection. Collection begins after discarding the first urine void of the day. Collect all urine thereafter (starting with the second void of the day), up to and including the first-morning void of the following day. Drink water to stay hydrated. Avoid stressful or strenuous activity during collection. Walnuts and bananas should be avoided for a week prior to sampling. Smoking during collection may interfere with results.