Catecholamines in Blood Test

Test Overview

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A test for catecholamines measures the amount of the hormones, Opens dialog epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine in the blood. These catecholamines are made by nerve tissue, Opens dialog, the brain, and the adrenal glands, Opens dialog. 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), metanephrine, and normetanephrine. Metanephrine and normetanephrine also may be measured during a catecholamine test.

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 intestines and increase blood going to the major organs, such as the brain, heart, and kidneys.

Certain rare tumors (such as a pheochromocytoma, Opens dialog) 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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Current as of: April 30, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

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