What is a high Metanephrine level?
Total urinary metanephrines can be measured in milligrams (mg). A level of 1.3 mg or greater over 24 hours is often considered positive.
What is total Metanephrine?
The term urinary “total” metanephrines was coined, based on historical precedents, to describe both normetanephrine and metanephrine measured together as a single concentration by early spectrophotometric assays.
What is a high Normetanephrine?
High levels of Normetanephrine can be from a pheochromocytoma. This is usually a benign tumor that stems from aberrant cells in the adrenal gland. The tumor produces hormones that cause high blood pressure. The high blood pressure can cause life-threatening situations, such as a heart attack.
What is a metanephrines blood test for?
The plasma free metanephrines test is used to help diagnose or rule out the presence of a rare tumor called a pheochromocytoma or a paraganglioma (PPGL) that releases excess metanephrines.
How long do Metanephrines stay in your system?
This is because the hormones do not stay long in the blood. They are used by the body and rapidly broken down (metabolized) and/or then eliminated. Urine testing measures the total amount of metanephrines released into the urine in 24 hours.
What causes Metanephrines to be high?
Higher levels of metanephrines may mean that you have an adrenal gland tumor. But false-positive results can happen. Higher levels may also be caused by obstructive sleep apnea, stress, or other illnesses.
What is the difference between metanephrine and Normetanephrine?
Normetanephrine and Metanephrine☆ The metanephrines normetanephrine (NMN) and metanephrine (MN) are O-methylated metabolites of the catecholamines norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (E). Metanephrine has a higher molecular weight (197) because, in contrast to NMN (183), it contains a methylated amino group.
What should I avoid before a Metanephrine test?
If your doctor has ordered a test for metanephrine in your urine, you should avoid caffeine for 24 hours and during collection of your specimen.
How is a metanephrine test done?
Blood for plasma metanephrine testing is collected by inserting a needle into a vein in your arm. Although you may be seated for the collection, it is recommended that you be lying down. The health care practitioner or the collection site will instruct you as to their specific requirements.
What causes elevated metanephrines?
Stress, illness strenuous physical activity, or withdrawal from opioids, benzodiazepines, alcohol or smoking may markedly increase metanephrines. Drugs that increase endogenous catecholamine levels can produce elevations of plasma metanephrines.
What does high metanephrines mean?
High values. High levels of free catecholamines, vanillylmandelic acid (VMA), or metanephrine can mean an adrenal gland tumor or other type of tumor is present. Any major stress, such as burns, a whole-body infection (sepsis), illness, surgery, or traumatic injury, can cause high levels.
What does a low metanephrine mean?
The catecholamines and metanephrines are usually measured together. Your overall pattern is low metanephrines. The reason that your physician was not concerned is that the primary reason for checking these tests is concern that they may be elevated, which is due to a hormone secreting tumor called a pheochromocytoma .