Metanephrines Test Cost & Procedure

The test determines whether your body is overproducing noradrenaline or adrenaline by examining the amount of a chemical called free metanephrine in your blood. This may be brought on by pheochromocytoma, an adrenal gland tumor that typically has little malignant potential (benign).

Metanephrine: a hormone or not?

Your body converts catecholamine hormones, which are hormones, into metanephrines. The adrenal glands produce these hormones. Your body responds to stress with the aid of catecholamines. They are referred to be "fight or flight" hormones at times.

What does having high levels of metanephrine mean?

Metanephrine levels that are higher could indicate an adrenal gland tumor. However, false-positive outcomes can occur. Stress, other conditions, or obstructive sleep apnea can also contribute to higher levels.

What does urinary metanephrine mean?

Measuring the amount in the blood and urine may aid in the tumor detection process because these tumors (PPGL) create an excessive amount of these hormones.

What is the typical urine concentration of metanephrine?

The amount of the drug detected in the urine over 24 hours falls within the range of the following average values: Dopamine: 420 to 2612 nmol/24 hours (65 to 400 mcg/24 hours) 0.5 to 20 mcg of epinephrine every 24 hours. Metanephrine: 24 to 96 mcg/24 hours (other laboratories report a range of 140 to 785 mcg/24 hours).

The 24-hour urine fractionated metanephrines (a more accurate assay) may be utilized as the initial examination in cases with low suspicion and a confirmatory study in individuals whose plasma-free fractionated metanephrine levels have increased by little more than a 2-fold.

Is a metanephrine blood test required fast?

Prepare the patient

The patient should fast the previous night (water and non-caffeinated soft drinks are permissible). Before collection, the patient should abstain from alcohol, coffee, tea, cigarettes, and intense activity.

Why does metanephrine form?

Your body converts catecholamine hormones, which are hormones, into metanephrines. The adrenal glands produce these hormones. Your body responds to stress with the aid of catecholamines. They are referred to be "fight or flight" hormones at times.

What does an adrenal gland tumor mean?

The adrenal gland has a tumor called a pheochromocytoma. As a result, the gland produces an excessive amount of the hormones norepinephrine and epinephrine. This tumor frequently develops in people in their 30s, 40s, or 50s. Experts are unsure about the origin of these malignancies.