Adrenal glands located above the kidney, synthesise adrenaline and noradrenaline (epinephrine and norepinephrine) hormones. These are commonly known as catecholamines. Adrenaline controls blood pressure in times of stress. When adrenaline is destroyed in the blood, it is converted into metanephrine and normetanephrine. They are excreted in the urine. An increase in these substances in the urine or blood, indicates that too much adrenaline is synthesised and destroyed, which is an indication that too much adrenaline is synthesised due to a tumour of the adrenal gland called pheochromocytoma.
Interpretation:Pheochromocytoma is suspected in cases of unexplained increased heart rate, headaches, sweating and irregular rise and fall in blood pressure. Pheochromocytoma can sometimes be caused by malign or benign tumors. Results of urine are more reliable as blood results may not reflect the true levels because of the half life of the hormone in blood.
Sample: Arm venous blood and Urine (24 hours). Nonfasting
Working day: Wednesday
Result Time: 3 days at 6 PM
