Medical Health Encyclopedia

Catecholamines - blood

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 provider.

Infants and children:

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The preparation you can provide for this test depends on your child's age, previous experiences, and level of trust. For general information regarding how you can prepare your child, see the following topics:

• Infant test or procedure preparation (birth to 1 year)
• Toddler test or procedure preparation (1 to 3 years)
• Preschooler test or procedure preparation (3 to 6 years)
• Schoolage test or procedure preparation (6 to 12 years)
• Adolescent test or procedure preparation (12 to 18 years)

How the test will feel:

When the needle is inserted to draw blood, you may feel moderate pain, or only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.

Why the test is performed:

This test is used primarily to screen for, diagnose, and monitor treatment of pheochromocytoma or neuroblastoma.

Catecholamines are chemically similar small molecules derived from tyrosine, an amino acid. The major catecholamines are dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine (which used to be called adrenalin).

• Dopamine is a neurotransmitter (a chemical used to transmit impulses between nerve cells), mainly found in the brain.
• Norepinephrine is the primary neurotransmitter in the sympathetic nervous system (controls "fight or flight" reactions) and is also found in the brain.
• Epinephrine is not only a brain neurotransmitter but also a major hormone in the body. Epinephrine is secreted from the adrenal medulla in response to low blood glucose, exercise, and various forms of acute stress. Epinephrine causes several responses:
  • A breakdown of glycogen to glucose in the liver
  • The release of fatty acids from fat tissue
  • Vasodilation of small arteries within muscle tissue
  • Increase in rate and strength of the heartbeat

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