Metanephrines, Free Plasma




Test Mnemonic

PMETAN

CPT Codes

  • 83835 - QTY (1)

Aliases

  • Fractionated plasma Metanephrines
  • Free Metanephrines
  • Plasma Normetanephrines

Includes

  • Plasma metanephrine
  • Plasma normetanephrine

Performing Laboratory

n/a


Specimen Requirements

Volume Type Container Collect Temperature Transport Temperature Special Instructions
1.5 mLPlasmaEDTA (Lavender)Place specimen on ice after draw.FrozenCentrifuge and remove plasma from cells within 1 hour of collection. Freeze plasma immediately after separation from cells.

Minimum Specimen Requirements

Volume Type Container Collect Temperature Transport Temperature Special Instructions
0.7 mL     

Stability

Environmental Condition Description
Ambient4 hours
Refrigerated3 days
Frozen1 year

Days Performed

2 days per week

Turnaround Time

1 - 5 days

Methodology

Name Description
Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) 

Reference Range

Metanephrine, Free plasma
Sex Age From Age To Type Range Range Unit
       Hypertensive Adult >= 18 yrs old: 12-72 pg/mL 
       Normotensive Adult >= 18 yrs old: 12-67 pg/mL 
       Normotensive children < 18 yrs old: 10-95 pg/mL 
Normetanephrine, Free plasma
Sex Age From Age To Type Range Range Unit
       Hypertensive adult >= 18 yrs old: 24-145 pg/mL 
       Normotensive adult >= 18 yrs old: 18-101 pg/mL 
       Normotensive children < 18 yrs old: 22-83 pg/mL 

Special Info

Avoid strenuous exercise for 3 days prior to collection. Discontinue epinephrine and epinephrine-like drugs at least 3 days before collection if possible. Allow patient to be seated in a relaxed position for 10-15 minutes before collection.

Clinical Info

Plasma metanephrine levels can be useful in the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma or paraganglioma. The measurement of plasma free metanephrines is considered the most sensitive and specific biomarkers for the detection of pheochromocytoma or paraganglioma. Methyldopa may cause false elevation of normetanephrine levels in this assay. If patient is on methyldopa, interpret results with caution.

Clinical Limitation

Plasma Free Metanephrine test performed by Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). Results obtained with different methods or kits cannot be used interchangeably.

Clinical Reference

n/a