What AreCatecholamines?

These "fight-or-flight" hormones from adrenal glands regulate heart rate, blood pressure, and stress response. Normally low at rest, they spike dangerously with tumors, causing hypertension, headaches, sweating, palpitations, and anxiety.

Why Get This Test?

Ordered for persistent high blood pressure unexplained by lifestyle, family history of adrenal issues, or sudden symptoms mimicking panic attacks. It's crucial for early tumor detection—surgery can cure many cases before complications arise.

Test Procedure

Collect all urine for 24 hours in a chilled container (discard first morning void). Avoid bananas, caffeine, vanilla, and stress 48 hours prior. Labs use chromatography for precise measurement—results in days.

Understanding Results

• Elevated: Flags tumors (90%+ pheochromocytoma cases); follow with imaging/CT/MRI.

• Normal: Rules out most issues but may repeat if symptoms persist.
  Paired with metanephrines for accuracy.