Catecholamines in Blood

Adrenaline Measurement in Blood, Dopamine Measurement in Blood, Epinephrine Measurement in Blood, Metanephrine Measurement in Blood, Noradrenaline Measurement in Blood, Norepinephrine Measurement in Blood, Vanillymandelic Acid Measurement in Blood

Test Overview

A test for catecholamines measures the amount of the hormones epinephrine, norepinephrine, metanephrine, and dopamine in the blood. These catecholamines are made by nerve tissue, the brain, and the adrenal glands. Catecholamines help the body respond to stress or fright and prepare the body for "fight-or-flight" reactions.

The adrenal glands make large amounts of catecholamines as a reaction to stress. The main catecholamines are epinephrine (adrenaline), norepinephrine (noradrenaline), and dopamine. They break down into vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) and metanephrine.

Catecholamines increase heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate, muscle strength, and mental alertness. They also lower the amount of blood going to the skin and increase blood going to the major organs, such as the brain, heart, and kidneys.

Certain rare tumors (such as a pheochromocytoma) can increase the amount of catecholamines in the blood. This causes high blood pressure, excessive sweating, headaches, fast heartbeats (palpitations), and tremors.

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Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated: August 21, 2006
Medical Review:	Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine Alan C. Dalkin, MD - Endocrinology
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