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HelpTest ID HVA Homovanillic Acid, 24 Hour, Urine
Useful For
Screening children for catecholamine-secreting tumors using a 24-hour urine collection when requesting homovanillic acid only
Monitoring neuroblastoma treatment
Screening patients with possible inborn errors of catecholamine metabolism
Highlights
Homovanillic acid (HVA) measurement in urine is used for screening children for catecholamine-secreting tumors, such as neuroblastoma, pheochromocytoma, and other neural crest tumors, and monitoring those who have had treatment for these tumors.
HVA measurement is also useful for diagnosing children with disorders of catecholamine metabolism, such as monoamine oxidase-A deficiency and dopamine beta-hydroxylase deficiency, which result in either decreased or elevated urinary HVA values, respectively.
Treatment with L-dopa can impact test results and should be discontinued 24 hours prior to collection. Bactrim can impact test results and should be noted at time of collection.
Special Instructions
Method Name
Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
Reporting Name
Homovanillic Acid (HVA), 24 Hr, USpecimen Type
UrineNecessary Information
1. Collection duration and urine volume in milliliters are required.
2. Patient's age is required.
3. All patients receiving L-dopa should be identified to the laboratory when this test is ordered.
4. Bactrim may interfere with detection of the analyte. All patients taking Bactrim should be identified to the laboratory when this test is ordered.
Specimen Required
Patient Preparation: Administration of L-dopa may falsely increase homovanillic acid results; it should be discontinued 24 hours prior to and during specimen collection.
Supplies: Urine Tubes, 10 mL (T068)
Container/Tube: Plastic, 10-mL urine tube
Specimen Volume: 5 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Add 25 mL of 50% acetic acid as preservative at start of collection. If specimen is refrigerated during collection, preservative may be added up to 12 hours after collection. Use 15 mL of 50% acetic acid for children younger than 5 years. This preservative is intended to achieve a pH of between approximately 1 and 5.
2. Collect a 24-hour urine specimen.
3. If necessary, adjust urine pH to a level between 1 and 5 by adding 50% acetic acid or hydrochloric acid dropwise and checking the pH.
Additional Information:
1. The sensitivity of this test is greater on a 24-hour specimen than on a random specimen.
2. See Urine Preservatives-Collection and Transportation for 24-Hour Urine Specimens for multiple collections.
Specimen Minimum Volume
2 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Urine | Refrigerated (preferred) | 28 days | |
| Frozen | 180 days |
Reference Values
<1 year: <35.0 mg/g creatinine
1 year: <30.0 mg/g creatinine
2-4 years: <25.0 mg/g creatinine
5-9 years: <15.0 mg/g creatinine
10-14 years: <9.0 mg/g creatinine
≥15 years (adults): <8.0 mg/24 hours
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Friday
Performing Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
CPT Code Information
83150
LOINC Code Information
| Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| HVA | Homovanillic Acid (HVA), 24 Hr, U | 13760-4 |
| Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| 3572 | Homovanillic Acid, Adult (>14 yr) | 2436-4 |
| 3573 | Homovanillic Acid, Child (<15 yr) | 13760-4 |
| TM39 | Collection Duration | 13362-9 |
| VL37 | Urine Volume | 3167-4 |
Test Classification
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.Report Available
2 to 4 daysNY State Approved
YesDisease States
- Neuroblastoma
Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send an Oncology Test Request (T729) with the specimen.