Normetadrenaline

[EcclesCake]

Dr Google has been little help so could someone please tell me the significance of elevated Normetadrenaline levels?

Thank you.

[Sqad]

I hope i have got this right.....i think that you mean nor-adrenaline.

If you don't , then ignore my post, but if i am correct,then read on.

Nor-adrenaline is a substance that is produced by a tumour of the adrenal gland called a pheochromcytoma.....not cancerous but may cause bouts of flushing, headaches and a significant rise in BP.
This substance called nor -adrenaline can be looked for in the blood and in the urine and if raised does then focus the attention onto this tumour.

if i have got nthe wrong end of the stick, then ignore my post.

[EcclesCake]

I think that is why I became confused the letter I have read definitely states Normetadrenaline, but Dr Google comes back with Noradrenaline.

If it is the latter what is the cause lifestyle, bad luck, hereditary? Also what is the treatment?

Thank you.

[Sqad]

If the raised nor-adrenaline (catechol amines ) is confirmed, then the next stage is a scan, ultrasound or MRI to establish the presence or otherwise of this tumour (pheochromocytoma) and if confirmed then the ONLY treatment is surgery.

The cause of this tumour is unknown.

Now if the scan does not show a tumour.........then the treatment will be to repeat the tests and "monitor the situation."

[slaney]

Normatadrenalines are breakdown products found in the urine. They can be raised with age, as well as pathological conditions.
Was this a urine sample? And do you know the level - how elevated was it?

[dannyk13]

http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Normetadrenaline#section=Top

[EcclesCake]

Sqad, thank you.

Slaney, a 24hr urine test was undertaken and the results came back as 5.02 against a normal reading of 3.3. This has been described as being borderline elevated.

[EcclesCake]

Thanks Danny, I am none the wiser from that link though ;-)

[slaney]

Hi eccles, other things that can cause borderline elevated normatadrenaline levels are stress , high blood pressure, and some drugs such as beta-blockers and antidepressants.
I don't know if any of these apply, but as ever, if in doubt check with GP.

[EcclesCake]

Thanks Slaney, high BP was diagnosed six months ago and Amlodopine 5mg and Ramipril 1.25mg were prescribed, more recently sinus tachycardia has been diagnosed for which Betablockers have now been prescribed.

[Sqad]

I agree totally with the comments made by slaney, as this is the difficulty of just commenting on lab results without the complete clinical picture.
After reading your further posts and still wondering why the investigations were ordered,it is extremely unlikely that my suggestion of a rare tumour (pheochromocytoma)is valid.

[Peter Pedant]

Good answer from Slaney

I was gonna go for stress - 5 doesnt strike me as a big deal if 3 is the norm.

[EcclesCake]

Thanks to Sqad and Slaney for your inputs.

I will pass the info on and see what comes of the further investigations. Apparently on the blood test request there is something written in the finest Dr scrawl that could be ?pheochromocytoma, so it would seem the Consultant is pursuing that possibility.