Test ID: HIAA
5-Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid (5-HIAA), Urine
Specimen Type
Describes the specimen type needed for testing
Specimen Required
Defines the optimal specimen. This field describes the type of specimen required to perform the test and the preferred volume to complete testing. The volume allows automated processing, fastest throughput and, when indicated, repeat or reflex testing.
Container/Tube: Plastic, 10-mL urine tube (Supply T068)
Specimen Volume: 5 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Collect a 24-hour urine specimen.
2. Add 25 mL of 50% acetic acid as preservative at start of collection. Use 15 mL of 50% acetic acid for children <5 years old.
3. Patients should not eat avocados, bananas, butternuts, cantaloupe, dates, eggplant, grapefruit, hickory nuts, honeydew melon, kiwifruit, melons, nuts, pecans, pineapple, plantains, plums, tomatoes and tomato products, or walnuts which are high in serotonin for 48 hours before or during collection.
4. Certain medications, such as L-dopa, acetaminophen, salicylates, and cough syrup containing guaifenesin must also be avoided.
Additional Information:
1. 24-hour volume is required.
2. See Urine Preservatives in Special Instructions for multiple collections.
Urine Preservative Collection Options
| Ambient | No |
| Refrigerated | Yes |
| Frozen | Yes |
| 6N HCl | Yes (30 mL) |
| 50% Acetic Acid | Preferred |
| Na2CO3 | Yes (5 g) |
| Toluene | Yes (30 mL) |
| 6N HNO3 | Yes (15 mL) |
| Boric Acid | Yes (10 g) |
| Thymol | Yes (10%) |
Forms: If not ordering electronically, submit a General Request Form (Supply T239) with the specimen.
Specimen Minimum Volume
Defines the amount of specimen required to perform an assay once, including instrument and container dead space. Submitting the minimum specimen volume makes it impossible to repeat the test or perform confirmatory or perform reflex testing. In some situations, a minimum specimen volume may result in a QNS (quantity not sufficient) result, requiring a second specimen to be collected.
Reject Due To
Identifies specimen types and conditions that may cause the specimen to be rejected
| Hemolysis | NA |
| Lipemia | NA |
| Icterus | NA |
| Other | NA |
Specimen Stability Information
Provides a description of the temperatures required to transport a specimen to the laboratory. Alternate acceptable temperature(s) are also included.
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Urine | Refrigerated (preferred) | 56 days |
| Frozen | 365 days |


