Metanephrine free plasma test

METANEPHRINE FREE PLASMA TEST

DESCRIPTION – the test measures the level of a substance called free metanephrine in your blood to find out if your body is producing too much adrenaline. This can be caused by a condition called phaeochromocytoma – a tumor on the adrenal glands which is usually non-cancerous

METHODOLOGY – quantitative liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

TURN AROUND TIME – 2-4 days

SPECIMEN REQUIERED -

PATIENT PREPARATION – drugs and medications may affect the results and should be discontinued for at least 72 hours prior to specimen collection

COLLECT – lavender (EDTA), pink (potassium EDTA), green (sodium heparin)

SPECIMEN PREPARATION – centrifuge within 1 hour. Transfer 2 ml plasma to transport tube and freeze immediately and avoid hemolysis

STORAGE/TRANSPORT TEMPERATURE – frozen

STABILITY – frozen: 1 month

UNACCEPTABLE CONDITION – plasma separator tube. Body fluids other than EDTA or heparinized plasma. Non-frozen specimens.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS – clinical history is mandatory