Adrenalin - blood

Alternative names

Norepinephrine - blood; Epinephrine - blood; Catecholamines - blood; Dopamine - blood

Definition

This test measures the level of catecholamines in the plasma portion of blood.

How the test is performed

Catecholamines are more often measured with a urine test than with this blood test, although the blood test is sometimes used.

Adult or child:
Blood is drawn from a vein (venipuncture), usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The puncture site is cleaned with antiseptic, and a tourniquet (an elastic band) or blood pressure cuff is placed around the upper arm to apply pressure and cause veins below the tourniquet to distend (fill with blood).

A needle is inserted into the vein, and the blood is collected in an airtight vial or a syringe. During the procedure, the tourniquet is removed to restore circulation. Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding.

Infant or young child:
The area is cleansed with antiseptic and punctured with a sharp needle or a lancet. The blood may be collected in a pipette (small glass tube), on a slide, onto a test strip, or into a small container. Cotton or a bandage may be applied to the puncture site if there is any continued bleeding.

How to prepare for the test

Certain foods can increase catecholamine levels including coffee, tea, bananas, chocolate, cocoa, citrus fruits, and vanilla. Avoid these foods for several days prior to the test, particularly if both serum and urine catecholamines are to be measured.

Avoid other interfering factors:

• Acute stress
  
• Vigorous exercise
  

Consult your health care provider regarding the need to discontinue potentially interfering drugs. Drugs that can increase catecholamine measurements include caffeine, levodopa, lithium, aminophylline, chloral hydrate, clonidine, disulfiram, erythromycin, insulin, methenamine, methyldopa, nicotinic acid (large doses), quinidine, tetracyclines, and nitroglycerin.

Drugs that can decrease catecholamine measurements include clonidine, disulfiram, guanethidine, imipramine, MAO inhibitors, phenothiazines, salicylates, and reserpine.

Never discontinue any medication without first consulting your health care provider.

Infants and children:
The physical and psychological preparation a parent can provide for this or any test or procedure depends on the child's age, interests, previous experiences, and level of trust. For specific information regarding how you can prepare your child, see the following topics as they correspond to your child's age: