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What Does This Urine Test Showing Epinephrine Levels Indicate?
Question: Symptoms: heart palpitations, at times racing heart, MUSCLE TIGHTNESS,muscle pain, muscle fatigue, especially in shoulders, neck and forearms,headaches, dizziness, lightheaded at times, sweats at times, anxiety and nervousness, feel shaky and hand tremor.
Had urine test done. Results Epinephrine-30.39 pg/gCr range 3.36-6.06 Norepinephrine -142.61pg/gCr range 28.07-42.11 Dopamine 375.22 pg/gCr range 139.1-208.7. Symptoms increased greatly when tried Cymbalta. Do I need to see a neurologist or endocrinologist?
Had urine test done. Results Epinephrine-30.39 pg/gCr range 3.36-6.06 Norepinephrine -142.61pg/gCr range 28.07-42.11 Dopamine 375.22 pg/gCr range 139.1-208.7. Symptoms increased greatly when tried Cymbalta. Do I need to see a neurologist or endocrinologist?
Brief Answer:
See an endocrinologist
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX thank you for using Healthcare Magic. Your results and symptoms are consistent with a pheochromocytoma, which is a tumor of the adrenal gland. The adrenal gland produces a variety of hormones, including stress hormones (eg, cortisol), and another part of it produces epinephrine, dopamine, and norepinephrine. These latter act as "flight or fight" hormones and create symptoms such as you are describing.
Pheochromocytoma can be associated with other endocrine tumors or may just be solitary. An endocrinologist would know what other tests to check. He or she may also know specific medicines that will help with the overproduction of these hormones while you are having an investigation for the definite diagnosis. Ultimately you are going to need imaging studies of your adrenal glands and possibly surgery.
For now I recommend you get in to an endocrinologist very soon. Pheochromocytoma can cause sudden high increases in blood pressure that can be dangerous. Was it your private doctor who ordered the urine test? Ask that doctor to advise you on the next steps you must take. He or she may want to initiate further studies while you are getting the referral. You also need to keep a close eye on your blood pressure.
Hope this answers your query. If you have further questions, I would be happy to answer them.
See an endocrinologist
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX thank you for using Healthcare Magic. Your results and symptoms are consistent with a pheochromocytoma, which is a tumor of the adrenal gland. The adrenal gland produces a variety of hormones, including stress hormones (eg, cortisol), and another part of it produces epinephrine, dopamine, and norepinephrine. These latter act as "flight or fight" hormones and create symptoms such as you are describing.
Pheochromocytoma can be associated with other endocrine tumors or may just be solitary. An endocrinologist would know what other tests to check. He or she may also know specific medicines that will help with the overproduction of these hormones while you are having an investigation for the definite diagnosis. Ultimately you are going to need imaging studies of your adrenal glands and possibly surgery.
For now I recommend you get in to an endocrinologist very soon. Pheochromocytoma can cause sudden high increases in blood pressure that can be dangerous. Was it your private doctor who ordered the urine test? Ask that doctor to advise you on the next steps you must take. He or she may want to initiate further studies while you are getting the referral. You also need to keep a close eye on your blood pressure.
Hope this answers your query. If you have further questions, I would be happy to answer them.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
I generally see a nurse practitioner.Tests were done from online lab. urine test. Pain management doctor had prescribed Cymbalta to try for the muscle pain issue. After the reaction to the Cymbalta-same symptoms but much worse I looked into the ingredients and noticed the norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. Which I was not familiar with. Did some research and started thinking I should probably look at the adrenals.
Thinking she might think i was crazy I found the online lab to test the adrenal hormones. I know I have a 4-5 cm cyst on my left kidney. Could that possibly be the source of the excess hormone? She is wanting to send me to neurologist for the muscle issues and I was thinking I should be seeing a endocrinologist at this point?
Thinking she might think i was crazy I found the online lab to test the adrenal hormones. I know I have a 4-5 cm cyst on my left kidney. Could that possibly be the source of the excess hormone? She is wanting to send me to neurologist for the muscle issues and I was thinking I should be seeing a endocrinologist at this point?
Brief Answer:
Would see the endocrinologist first
Detailed Answer:
The more urgent problem is the possible pheochromocytoma. The muscle symptoms may be a separate issue or could be related. The endocrinologist would be better suited to make this determination.
The adrenal glands sit atop the kidneys. Possibly the cyst is located nearby and is actually in the adrenal gland. Or it could be some ectopic adrenal tissue in the kidney. This obviously deserves further evaluation with more imaging studies.
Good call on your part. Adrenal hormone problems are uncommon and often missed. You could talk to the nurse practitioner, inform her of the results, and ask for her advice and a referral. But get an appointment with an endocrinologist soon. Hope this helps.
Would see the endocrinologist first
Detailed Answer:
The more urgent problem is the possible pheochromocytoma. The muscle symptoms may be a separate issue or could be related. The endocrinologist would be better suited to make this determination.
The adrenal glands sit atop the kidneys. Possibly the cyst is located nearby and is actually in the adrenal gland. Or it could be some ectopic adrenal tissue in the kidney. This obviously deserves further evaluation with more imaging studies.
Good call on your part. Adrenal hormone problems are uncommon and often missed. You could talk to the nurse practitioner, inform her of the results, and ask for her advice and a referral. But get an appointment with an endocrinologist soon. Hope this helps.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
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