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What Causes Elevated Norepinephrine Levels?
Question: I had a 24 hour urine done because of hypertension, palpitations and headache. The levels for norepinephrine, normetanephrine came back 3 times the upper limit of normal. VMA was 2 times the upper limit of normal and Dopamine was moderately elevated. I am scheduled to have an MRI and US of my neck in the next few days. Could the fact that I take amitritylline 20mg once a day be the reason for these elevated levels?
Brief Answer:
NO, this is not the reason!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.
I have reviewed the information provided. Your symptoms and preliminary findings are so suggestive of a possible pheochromocytoma. This is a tumor of the adrenal gland which secretes epinephrine and nor-epinephrine. This explains why the urine has high levels of its breakdown products as well as high level of these hormones in blood. These findings and symptoms can never be explained by amitriptylline.
Be calm. Be relaxed. Follow up with your doctor and get these investigations done. If this turn out to be the cause, surgery would address this cause and there would be no need for further high blood medications.
I hope this helps. I wish you well. feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.
NO, this is not the reason!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.
I have reviewed the information provided. Your symptoms and preliminary findings are so suggestive of a possible pheochromocytoma. This is a tumor of the adrenal gland which secretes epinephrine and nor-epinephrine. This explains why the urine has high levels of its breakdown products as well as high level of these hormones in blood. These findings and symptoms can never be explained by amitriptylline.
Be calm. Be relaxed. Follow up with your doctor and get these investigations done. If this turn out to be the cause, surgery would address this cause and there would be no need for further high blood medications.
I hope this helps. I wish you well. feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.
Note: For more information on hormonal imbalance symptoms or unmanaged diabetes with other comorbid conditions, get back to us & Consult with an Endocrinologist. Click here to book an appointment.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Answered by
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