Collection

TWO GREEN NO GEL (LITHIUM HEPARIN)-ON ICE

ACCEPTABLE: TWO DARK GREEN (SODIUM HEPARIN) OR TWO EDTA TUBES ON ICE.

PATIENT PREPARATION: PATIENT SHOULD BE CALM AND SEATED FOR 15 MINUTES PRIOR TO COLLECTION.  ALTERNATELY, PATIENT MAY BE CALM AND SUPINE FOR 30 MINUTES PRIOR TO COLLECTION.  DRUGS AND MEDICATIONS MAY AFFECT RESULTS AND SHOULD BE DISCONTINUED FOR 72 HOURS PRIOR TO SPECIMEN COLLECTION, IF POSSIBLE.

Medications that may interfere with catecholamines and metabolites include amphetamines and amphetamine-like compounds, appetite suppressants, bromocriptine, buspirone, caffeine, carbidopa-levodopa (Sinemet), clonidine, dexamethasone, diuretics (in doses sufficient to deplete sodium), ethanol, isoproterenol, labetalol, methyldopa (Aldomet), MAO inhibitors, nicotine, nose drops, propafenone (Rythmol), reserpine, theophylline, tricyclic antidepressants, and vasodilators. The effect of drugs on catecholamine results may not be predictable.