Introduction
This test looks at the amount of metanephrines and catecholamines in your urine. This helps us to decide or rule out whether there might be anything wrong with your adrenal gland.
Collecting Your Sample
- You have been provided with a plastic jug and a plastic container.
- The plastic container contains strong acid which is required by us to preserve your sample. DO NOT DISCARD. If you spill any, wash the area immediately with lots of cold water.
- Keep out of reach of children.
- If you spill any acid on your skin, or any body parts, wash immediately with plenty of water. Seek medical advice if in doubt.
- The jug must be used to collect any urine that you pass during the 24 hour period, and immediately poured (do not spill any) into the plastic container. Do not, under any circumstances, pass urine directly into the bottle.
- You must collect all urine that you pass over a full 24 hour period. If you forget, and go to the toilet as normal, please let us know and we can provide another container. It is vital that all the urine you pass during this period is placed in the container.
- Store the bottle in a cool place during the collection period (refrigeration not needed).
- The collection must be timed accurately as follows:
- At start of 24 hour period (at any time that suits you), empty your bladder completely and discard the urine.
- Collect all further urine passed over the 24 hour period into the jug, which must then be immediately poured into the container.
- At the end of the 24 hour period (exactly 24 hours after you started collecting), empty your bladder and pour the urine into the container. The test is now complete. Please ensure the lid is fully tightened then return, making sure it is labelled with your name, date of birth, NHS number and the times of urine collection, together with the Pathology Request Form to the laboratory as soon as possible after completion of the test. You may also take to your sample to your GP for collection by the laboratory. Please also make a note on the request form about any tablets that you may be taking or attach a list to the request and ensure this is returned with the completed collection. This is essential in interpreting the test results.
- Please also dispose of the jug upon completion of the test.
- The results for your test will be sent to your requesting doctor when complete.
Benefits
The benefit of doing the test is that it will provide your doctor with important results which will help with diagnosis and/or treatment.
Risks
The plastic container contains strong acid. If you spill any, wash the area immediately with lots of cold water. Seek medical advice if in doubt. Follow usual hygiene procedures and wash your hands after collecting your sample(s).
Alternatives
There are no alternative tests that could be used to the one that you have been asked to undertake.
Contact Numbers
If you have any queries please ring your local laboratory:
Boston Tel. 01205 446386. Reception 0900-1730 (Mon-Fri)
Goole Tel. 01724 290033. Reception 0830-1600 (Mon-Fri)
Grantham Tel. 01476 565232 ext 4706. Reception 0830-1700 (Mon-Fri)
Grimsby Tel. 03033 306999. Reception 0800-1700 (Mon-Fri)
Lincoln Tel. 01522 573754. Reception 0800-1700 (Mon-Fri)
Scunthorpe Tel 03033 306999. Reception 0800-1700 (Mon-Fri)Louth Tel 01507 600100 Ext 1253. Reception 0830-1630 (Mon-Fri)
Any comments, compliments, concerns or complaints
If you have any other concerns please talk to your nurse, therapist or doctor. Our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is available on 03033 306518 (Grimsby, Scunthorpe and Goole). You can also contact [email protected]
As a Trust we value equality of access to our information and services, therefore alternative formats are available on request at [email protected]
Review Information
Date of Issue: May 2024
Review period: May 2027