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Test ID: METAR    
Metanephrines, Fractionated, Random, Urine

Method Description Describes how the test is performed and provides a method-specific reference

Urinary metanephrines are determined by reverse phase liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) stable isotope dilution analysis. Urinary metanephrines occur largely in conjugated form. After urine specimens are acidified and hydrolyzed for 20 minutes in a boiling water bath, metanephrine and normetanephrine are extracted from the specimens utilizing extraction cartridges. The metanephrine and normetanephrine are eluted from the cartridge using 20% methanol (MeOH) and analyzed by LC-MS/MS using multiple reaction monitoring in positive mode. Deuterated metanephrine (d3-metanephrine, 200 ng) and deuterated normetanephrine (d3-normetanephrine, 500 ng) are added prior to the hydrolysis as an internal standard. The following ion pairs are used for analysis: metanephrine, (180/148); normetanephrine, (166/134); d3-metanephrine, (183/151); d3-normetanephrine, (169/137). The metanephrine and normetanephrine concentrations are quantified using ratios of the peak areas to deuterium labeled internal standards by LC-MS/MS. A calibration curve, generated from 20% MeOH spiked standards, is included with each batch of patient specimens.(Taylor RL, Singh RJ: Validation of liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectometry method for analysis of urinary conjuncted metanephrine and normetanephrine for screening of pheochromocytoma. Clin Chem 2002 48:533-539; Roden M, Raffesberg W, Raber W, et al: Quantification of unconjugated metanephrine in human plasma without interference by acetaminophen. Clin Chem 2001;47:1061-1067)

Day(s) and Time(s) Test Performed Outlines the days and times the test is performed. This field reflects the day and time the sample must be in the testing laboratory to begin the testing process and includes any specimen preparation and processing time required before the test is performed. Some tests are listed as continuously performed, which means assays are performed several times during the day.

Monday through Saturday; 12 p.m.

Analytic Time Defines the amount of time it takes the laboratory to setup and perform the test. This is defined in number of days. The shortest interval of time expressed is "same day/1 day," which means the results may be available the same day that the sample is received in the testing laboratory. One day means results are available 1 day after the sample is received in the laboratory.

2 days (not reported on Sundays)

Maximum Laboratory Time Defines the maximum time from specimen receipt at Mayo Medical Laboratories until the release of the test result

2 days

Specimen Retention Time Outlines the length of time after testing that a specimen is kept in the laboratory before it is discarded

2 weeks

Performing Laboratory Location The location of the laboratory that performs the test

Rochester