Urine Metanephrines
Also known as: Metanephrine and Normetanephrine
Formal name: Urine Metanephrines, Total and Fractionated
Related tests: Catecholamines, Plasma and Urine, Plasma Free Metanephrine, Vanillylmandelic acid (VMA)
At a Glance
Why Get Tested?
To help diagnose or rule out a pheochromocytoma or other neuroendocrine tumor
When to Get Tested?
When you have symptoms of increased catecholamine release, such as persistent or episodic high blood pressure, severe headaches, rapid heart rate, and sweating
Sample Required?
Test Preparation Needed?
Foods such as coffee (including decaf), tea, chocolate, vanilla, bananas, oranges and other citrus fruits should be avoided for several days prior to the test and during collection. There are also many medications that can potentially affect test results. Talk to your doctor about any prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs and supplements that you are taking. Wherever possible, those that are known to interfere should be discontinued prior to and during sample collection. Emotional and physical stresses and vigorous exercise should be minimized prior to and during test collection as they can increase catecholamine secretion.
