What is normetanephrine test for?
The plasma free metanephrines test is used to help diagnose or rule out the presence of a rare tumor called a pheochromocytoma or a paraganglioma (PPGL) that releases excess metanephrines. Testing also may be used when a tumor has been treated or removed to monitor for recurrence.
What does high levels of normetanephrine mean?
Higher levels of metanephrines may mean that you have an adrenal gland tumor. But false-positive results can happen. Higher levels may also be caused by obstructive sleep apnea, stress, or other illnesses.
What are the laboratory tests used to diagnose pheochromocytoma?
The tests of choice to establish the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma are urinary normetanephrine and platelet norepinephrine. A combination of 131I-MIBG scintigraphy and diagnostic tests in urine, blood, or platelets does further improve the sensitivity.
What happens when norepinephrine is high?
Bursts of norepinephrine can lead to euphoria (very happy) feelings but are also linked to panic attacks, elevated blood pressure, and hyperactivity. Low levels can cause lethargy (lack of energy), lack of concentration, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and possibly depression.
What does it mean if norepinephrine levels are high?
Certain medical conditions, such as tumors, chronic stress, and obesity, can affect the adrenal glands and cause excess production of epinephrine and norepinephrine. Symptoms of high levels of epinephrine or norepinephrine can include: excessive sweating. rapid or irregular heartbeat.
How do doctors check for pheochromocytoma?
Because catecholamine relase varies throughout the day, the best method of diagnosing pheochromocytomas is using a 24-hour urine collection. This involves obtaining a special urine container, which has a small amount of preservative, from a medical laboratory and filling it with one entire day’s worth of urine.
What should I do if my normetanephrine level is normal?
When Normetanephrine levels are normal, then it’s extremely unlikely that someone has pheochromocytoma or paraganglioma. If this test is positive, another type of test should be done, called the fractionated 24-hour urinary metanephrines.
What do you need to know about the metanephrine test?
Metanephrine, plasma free, fractionated plasma free metanephrines What is this test? This test measures the substances metanephrine and normetanephrine in your blood. It helps find out if you have a tumor of the adrenal glands called pheochromocytoma. The adrenal glands sit on top of your kidneys.
How are plasma normetanephrine levels used to diagnose pheochromocytoma?
This test is useful in the detection of pheochromocytoma, a rare neuroendocrine tumor. The majority of patients with pheochromocytoma have a plasma normetanephrine concentration in excess of 2.2 nmol/L and/or a metanephrine concentration in excess of 1.1 nmol/L. Increased concentrations of these analytes serve as confirmation for diagnosis.
When does normetanephrine rise in the plasma?
Normally, the levels of Normetanephrine are low in the plasma. However, when there are tumors in the body that originate from neural crest cells called paragangliomas or neuroblastomas, or from pheochromocytomas (an adrenal gland tumor), the levels of Normetanephrine rise significantly.