VMA/Creatinine Ratio VMACR

Synonyms

Allscripts (AEHR) Order Name

VMA/Creatinine Ratio

Sunrise Clinical Manager (SCM) Order Name

VMA/Creatinine Ratio

Clinical Info

Vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) is the major urinary product resulting from the metabolic degradation of catecholamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine. Elevated concentrations of VMA are commonly found in cases of catecholamine secreting tumors such as pheochromocytoma, neuroblastoma, and ganglioneuroma.

Specimen Type

Urine

Container

Urine Cup

Collection Instructions

Container/Tube:  Urine container
Specimen:  10 mL from a random urine collection (5 mL min)
Transport Temperature:  Frozen
Stability:  Room temperature: 10 days
                  Refrigerated: 14 days
                  Frozen: 1 year
 
Note:  pH adjusted to <3.0 using 6N HCl Urine without preservative is acceptable if pH is below 6 and the sample is shipped frozen.
 
Patient Preparation
It is preferable for the patient to be off medications for three days prior to collection. However, common antihypertensives (diuretics, ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, alpha and beta blockers) cause minimal or no interference. Patient should avoid alcohol, coffee, tea, tobacco (including use of nicotine patch), bananas, citrus fruits and strenuous exercise prior to collection.

Transport Instructions

Frozen

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: 10 days
                  Refrigerated: 14 days
                  Frozen: 1 year
 
Note:  pH adjusted to <3.0 using 6N HCl Urine without preservative is acceptable if pH is below 6 and the sample is shipped frozen.

Methodology

High-Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)

Days Performed

Monday through Friday

Performing Laboratory

Quest Diagnostics' Nichols Institute, Inc. - Chantilly

CPT

82570 - creatinine
84585 - VMA
 
LONIC: 3124-5

PDM

5901380

Result Interpretation

See report.

Forms