Random Urine, Homovanillic Acid (HVA)

Synonyms

• HOMOVANILLIC ACID (HVA), RANDOM URINE
• HVARU
• LAB11682

Cerner Name

Homovanillic Acid(HVA), Random Urine

Clinical Info

Homovanillic acid (HVA) and other catecholamine metabolites (vanillylmandelic acid: VMA and dopamine) are typically elevated in patients with catecholamine-secreting tumors (eg, neuroblastoma, pheochromocytoma, and other neural crest tumors). HVA and VMA levels may also be useful in monitoring patients who have been treated as a result of the above-mentioned tumors.

Specimen Sources

Bladder Kidney, Left Kidney, Right Ureter, Left Ureter, Right Urine, Catheter Urine, Clean Catch Urine, Foley Urine, Voided

Specimen Types

Urine

Specimen Volume

5 mL Random Urine ( 2 mL min)

Container

Urine Cntr

Collection Instructions

Container/Tube: Plastic Urine Container or Tube with No Preservative
Specimen: 5 mL Random Urine ( 2 mL min)
Transport Temperature: Refrigerated
Stability; 28 Days Refrigerated
180 Days Frozen
Patient Preparation: Administration of L-dopa may falsely increase homovanillic acid results; it should be discontinued 24 hours prior to and during collection of specimen.

(Lab Use only- Adjust the urine pH to a level between 1 and 5 by adding 50% acetic acid dropwise and checking the pH.)

Transport Instructions

Refrigerated

Specimen Stability

Methodology

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

Days Performed

TAT: 3-5 Days

Performing Laboratories

Mayo Medical Laboratories

CPT

83150

PDM

2114159

Results

Result Interpretation

Forms