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What are the Potential sources of error in chemical screening tests in pheochromocytoma?
Plasma levels of catecholamines and metabolites may be falsely elevated with any type of stress. In patients with paroxysmal hypertension, urinary concentration of catecholamines and their metabolites may be normal if the 24-hour urine is collected when the patient is normotensive and asymptomatic. Common drugs that affect catecholamine and metabolite levels are listed below.
Common Drugs That Affect Catecholamine and Metabolite Levels
| INCREASE | DECREASE |
|---|---|
| T ricyclic antidepressants A mphetamine(s) B eta-blockers (labetalol, sotalol) B enzodiazepines L -dopa, methyldopa E thanol Withdrawal from clonidine and other alpha-agonists | Metyrosine Methylglucamine Reserpine |
