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Test Code HVAR Homovanillic Acid, Random, Urine

Reporting Name

Homovanillic Acid (HVA), Random, U

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

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

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

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.

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

Method Description

Homovanillic acid (HVA) is measured by solid-phase extraction (SPE) of a 1-mL aliquot of urine. A known amount of stable-isotope labeled HVA internal standard (IS) is added to each urine specimen prior to SPE. HVA and IS are eluted from the SPE column with methanol. The methanol is evaporated, and the HVA and IS are redissolved in liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) mobile phase. A portion of this prepared extract is injected onto a LC column that separates HVA and IS from the bulk of any remaining specimen matrix. The HVA and IS are measured by mass spectrometry/tandem mass spectrometry using the selected reaction monitoring mode. HVA is quantified using the ratio to IS versus urine calibrators.(Magera MJ, Stoor A, Helgeson JK, Matern D, Rinaldo P. Determination of homovanillic acid in urine by stable isotope dilution and electrospray tandem mass spectrometry. Clin Chim Acta. 2001;306[1-2]:35-41; Eisenhofer G, Grebe S, Cheung NV. Monoamine-producing tumors. In: Rifai N, Horvath AR, Wittwer CT, eds. Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics. 6th ed. Elsevier; 2018:chap 63)

Report Available

2 to 4 days

Reject Due To

  All specimens will be evaluated at Mayo Clinic Laboratories for test suitability.

Method Name

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

Forms

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

Secondary ID

60275