Test ID: HVA
Homovanillic Acid (HVA), 24 Hour, 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: 6 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. This preservative is intended to achieve a pH of between approximately 1 and 5. If necessary, adjust urine pH to 1 to 5 with 50% acetic or HCI acid.
Additional Information:
1. Patient's age and 24-hour volume are required.
2. Administration of L-dopa may falsely increase homovanillic acid results; it should be discontinued 24 hours prior to and during collection of specimen.
3. The sensitivity of this test is greater on a 24-hour specimen than on a random specimen.
4. See Urine Preservatives in Special Instructions for multiple collections.
5. Bactrim may interfere with detection of the analyte. All patients taking Bactrim should be identified to the laboratory when this test is ordered.
Urine Preservative Collection Options
| Ambient | No |
| Refrigerated | No |
| Frozen | No |
| 6N HCl | Yes |
| 50% Acetic Acid | Preferred |
| Na2CO3 | No |
| Toluene | No |
| 6N HNO3 | No |
| Boric Acid | No |
| Thymol | No |
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) | 7 days |
| Ambient | 7 days | |
| Frozen | 7 days |
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