Dopamine details
What Dopamine shows
Dopamine is a catecholamine, a family of chemical messengers that also includes adrenaline and noradrenaline. It is made by nerve tissue and the adrenal glands, and it is a precursor of noradrenaline. Plasma dopamine is measured mainly when looking for rare tumors that produce catecholamines, such as pheochromocytomas, paragangliomas or neuroblastoma. Raised levels can also come from stress, posture, recent exercise, certain foods and many medications. Dopamine in the blood does not cross into the brain, so this test does not measure brain dopamine or mood. It is interpreted with other catecholamines or metanephrines.
Tests that include Dopamine
Measurement of dopamine levels in urine or blood in addition to urinary vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) and homovanillic acid (HVA) levels may aid in the biochemical diagnosis and monitoring of neuroblastomas [1]. This test may also be useful in evaluating dopamine-secreting pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPGLs) [2].
- Dopamine Measures dopamine in plasma, part of a catecholamine panel that helps look for rare tumors producing these hormones; it does not reflect brain dopamine.
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