Metanephrines, Pheochromocytoma Evaluation

Diagnose the presence of a pheochromocytoma, neuroblastoma, and ganglioneuroblastoma

This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by LabCorp. It has not been cleared or approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

Simultaneous measurement of urine creatinine permits expression of the metanephrine:creatinine ratio. Some clinicians use >2.2 μg metanephrines/mg creatinine to distinguish pheochromocytoma from normal with this ratio.¹

1. Gitlow SE, Mendlowitz M, Bertani LM. The biochemical techniques for detecting and establishing the presence of a pheochromocytoma. A review of ten years' experience. Am J Cardiol. 1970 Sep; 26(3):270-279. PubMed 5505453

Medication and dietary monitoring. A number of drugs act through catecholamine mechanisms and must be discontinued 72 hours before and during collection. Bananas, pineapple, and plums are contraindicated.