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Catecholamine Tests

Catecholamines are secreted by the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands secrete certain catecholamines when the person is physically or mentally stressed. Catecholamines can increase breathing rate, and blood pressure rate. The catecholamine tests are used when the doctor identifies an abnormal symptom such as high blood pressure, headaches, or rapid heartbeats.

Catecholomines are tested in two ways for humans. Catecholamines can be measured via blood or urine. Each of the tests measure the amount of catecholamine's: dopamine, epinephrine, norepinephrine.

Urine test, contains a sample of 24 hour period. Once the bladder has been emptied in the morning, the individual should take note of the time. The process of collecting urine should start from that point for 24 hours. Every time a person urinates it should all be collected and refrigerated. Once the urine is all collected it must be taken to the lab or the doctor to further analyze the amount of catecholamines present throughout the day.

Blood tests are done also to analyze the amount of catecholamines present in the body.

Catecholamine tests are done to identify rare tumors at the adrenal gland or in the nervous system. Catecholamine tests provide information relative to tumors such as: pheocromocytoma, paraganglioma, and neuroblastoma.