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

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.)

Specimen Volume

5 mL Random Urine ( 2 mL min)

Transport Instructions

Refrigerated

Specimen Stability

Methodology

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

Days Performed

TAT: 3-5 Days

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Medical Laboratories

CPT

83150

PDM

2114159

Only Orderable at Locations:

Orderable Everywhere

Results

Result Interpretation

Forms