Specimen Requirements

Includes: Dopamine, Epinephrine, Norepinephrine and Total Catecholamines (calculated)

Patient Preparation

Patients should be relaxed in either a supine or upright position before blood is drawn. States of anxiety and stress can cause fluctuations in the catecholamine levels. Patient should avoid alcohol, coffee, tea, tobacco and strenuous exercise prior to collection. Overnight fasting is preferred.

Preferred Specimen(s)

2 mL frozen plasma collected in a sodium heparin (green-top) tube

Alternative Specimen(s)

Frozen plasma collected in: EDTA (lavender-top) tube

Minimum Volume

1 mL

Collection Instructions

Draw specimen in a pre-chilled green-top vacutainer. After drawing specimen, place green-top tube in an ice bath. Centrifuge 20 minutes 1000xg. The plasma must be free of RBCs. Freeze on dry ice to transport.