Catecholamines in Blood

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How To Prepare

You may be asked to avoid the following foods and fluids for 2 to 3 days before having this test:

• Caffeine, such as coffee, tea, cocoa, and chocolate
• Amines. These are found in bananas, walnuts, avocados, fava beans, cheese, beer, and red wine.
• Any foods or fluids with vanilla
• Licorice
• Aspirin

You may be asked to not eat or drink anything for 10 hours before this test. Do not use tobacco for 4 hours before the blood test.

Many medicines may change the results of this test. Be sure to tell your doctor about all the nonprescription and prescription medicines you take.

Your health professional may ask you to stop certain medicines, such as blood pressure medicines, before the test. Do not take cold or allergy remedies, including aspirin, and nonprescription diet pills for 2 weeks before the test.

Having a blood sample taken can cause stress. This may increase catecholamine levels. Be sure to keep warm, because being cold can also increase your catecholamine levels. Ask for a blanket if you feel cold.

Talk to your doctor about any concerns you have regarding the need for the test, its risks, how it will be done, or what the results will mean. To help you understand the importance of this test, fill out the medical test information form (What is a PDF document?).

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Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated August 21, 2006
Medical Review:	Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine Alan C. Dalkin, MD - Endocrinology
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