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The urine free metadrenaline profile:
Urine free metadrenalines are used for the diagnosis of catecholamine producing tumours including phaeochromocytoma or paraganglioma (PPGL). Patients with PPGL may present with episodes of hypertension with palpitations, severe headaches and sweating. Patients may be asymptomatic but have an incidentally discovered adrenal mass.
| Sample type | 24 hr urine |
| Container | Plain urine container (no preservative) |
| Precautions |
Certain medications may cause false elevations of urine metadrenalines (click here for full list). If clinically feasible, it is optimal to discontinue these medications at least 1 week before sample collection. Click here for patient information sheet for urine collection |
| Minimum volume | 2 mL |
| Reference range |
Metadrenaline < 350 nmol/24 h Normetadrenaline < 650 nmol/24 h 3-methoxytyramine < 400 nmol/24 h |
| Turnaround time | 14 days |
| Method | Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry |
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