Specimen Requirements

Title

Metanephrines, Plasma Free

Specimen Requirement

Patient should avoid alcohol, coffee, tea, tobacco and strenuous exercise prior to collection. Overnight fasting is preferred. Patients should be relaxed in either a supine or upright positiion before blood is drawn.

Draw blood in a pre-chilled lavender EDTA tube, Sample should be kept on wet ice until centrifugation. Spin and separate the plasma from the cells within 2 hours of collection. Send 2.5 mL plasma (1.5 mL minimum) in a screw-capped plastic vial, send with cold packs if it’ll arrive after 24 hours of collection.

Methodology

Liquid Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Stability

Room temp: 24 hours, Refrigerated: 14 days, Frozen: 30 days

Reference Range

The reference ranges are determined by the performing laboratory and will show on the report.

Turnaround

4-5 days performed Sunday-Friday

Clinical Use

Test Code

METPW