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Test ID HVAR Homovanillic Acid, Random, Urine

Useful For

Screening children for catecholamine-secreting tumors using a random 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 to diagnose 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.

Method Name

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

Reporting Name

Homovanillic Acid (HVA), Random, U

Specimen Type

Urine


Necessary Information


1. Patient's age is required.

2. All patients receiving L-dopa should be identified to the laboratory when this test is ordered.

3. 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 specimen collection.

Supplies: Urine Tubes, 10 mL (T068)

Collection Container/Tube: Clean, plastic urine collection container

Submission Container/Tube: Plastic, 10-mL urine tube

Specimen Volume: 5 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Collect a random urine specimen.

2. Adjust the urine pH to a level between 1 and 5 by adding 50% acetic acid or hydrochloric acid dropwise and checking the pH.


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/g creatinine

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
HVAR Homovanillic Acid (HVA), Random, U 11146-8

 

Result ID Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
60275 Homovanillic Acid (HVA), Random, U 11146-8

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 days

NY State Approved

Yes

Disease States

  • Neuroblastoma

Forms

If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send an Oncology Test Request (T729) with the specimen.