Necessary Information

1. Collection duration and urine volume in milliliters are required.

2. Patient's age is required.

3. All patients receiving L-dopa should be identified to the laboratory when this test is ordered.

4. Bactrim may interfere with detection of the analyte. All patients taking Bactrim should be identified to the laboratory when this test is ordered.

Specimen Required

Patient Preparation: Administration of L-dopa may falsely increase homovanillic acid results; it should be discontinued 24 hours prior to and during specimen collection.

Supplies: Urine Tubes, 10 mL (T068)

Container/Tube: Plastic, 10-mL urine tube

Specimen Volume: 5 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Add 25 mL of 50% acetic acid as preservative at start of collection. If specimen is refrigerated during collection, preservative may be added up to 12 hours after collection. Use 15 mL of 50% acetic acid for children younger than 5 years. This preservative is intended to achieve a pH of between approximately 1 and 5.

2. Collect a 24-hour urine specimen.

3. If necessary, adjust urine pH to a level between 1 and 5 by adding 50% acetic acid or hydrochloric acid dropwise and checking the pH.

Additional Information:

1. The sensitivity of this test is greater on a 24-hour specimen than on a random specimen.

2. See Urine Preservatives-Collection and Transportation for 24-Hour Urine Specimens for multiple collections.