Catecholamines Plasma Test

The Catecholamines Plasma blood test is used to measure the amount of the hormones epinephrine, norepinephrine and dopamine in the blood. These are hormones which are made by nerve tissue, the brain and the adrenal glands. Catecholamines held the body respond to stress or fear and prepare the body for its fight or flight reactions. Catecholamines increase heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate, muscle strength and mental alertness. By doing this, they lower the amount of blood going to the skin and intestines and increase blood to vital organs like the brain, heart and kidneys.

It is advisable for the person taking the test to avoid the following foods and fluids for 2-3 days preceding the test: Caffeine, such as in the form of coffee, tea, chocolate and cocoa; bananas, walnuts, avocados, fava beans, cheese; any food or fluids with vanilla, licorice, aspirin and liquor, specifically beer and red wine. The test is done in a fasting state; the person is advised not to eat or drink anything except water for the ten hours before the test. Use of tobacco must be stopped four hours before the blood test.

Doctors usually order this test to check for adrenal tumours in adults. This is basically a test to check for tumors on adrenal glands, the most common of which is known as pheochromocytoma. Most of these tumors are benign, but it is important for them to be removed to ensure that they do not interfere with regular adrenal function. The symptoms of an adrenal tumour are heavy sweating, high blood pressure, rapid and unusually hard heartbeat, and pale skin. In children, this test may be ordered to check for neuroblastoma, which is a common childhood cancer. The symptoms of this include painless lumps of tissue under the skin, pain in the abdomen, chest, back and bones, wheezing and high blood pressure.

The drawing of blood is done in a clini, hospital or at home by a trained professional. The site of drawing blood is generally the inside of your elbow. The area is first rubbed with alcohol using a cotton pad. A disposable needle is injected into a vein which can be seen in this area and blood is drawn. This is then stored in a specific container with the details of the person. This sample is sent to the research laboratory for results.