What is HVA and VMA?

Highlights. Homovanillic acid (HVA) and vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) measurements in urine are used for screening children for catecholamine-secreting tumors such as neuroblastoma, pheochromocytoma, and other neural crest tumors and monitoring those who have had treatment for these tumors.

What is VMA in urine?

Vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) and other catecholamine metabolites such as homovanillic acid (HVA) measurement in urine are used for screening children for catecholamine-secreting tumors such as neuroblastoma and other neural crest tumors and monitoring those who have had treatment for these tumors.

What is catecholamines urine test for?

The test is usually done to diagnose an adrenal gland tumor called pheochromocytoma . It may also be used to diagnose neuroblastoma . Urine catecholamine levels are increased in most people with neuroblastoma.

What is normal VMA level?

VMA: 2 to 7 milligrams (mg)/24 hours (10 to 35 mcmol/24 hours)

What do high VMA levels mean?

Vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) and other catecholamine metabolites (homovanillic acid: HVA and dopamine) are typically elevated in patients with catecholamine-secreting tumors (eg, neuroblastoma, pheochromocytoma, and other neural crest tumors).

What causes high dopamine in urine?

Conclusions A high urine dopamine was found in o3% of adult urine specimens. It was most commonly associated with: over-collection, probable drug effects and neural crest tumours. Neuroblastoma was the most common cause of elevated dopamine in children’s specimens, although other associations are described.

Why is HVA test done?

Highlights. Homovanillic acid (HVA) measurement in urine is used for screening children for catecholamine-secreting tumors such as neuroblastoma, pheochromocytoma, and other neural crest tumors and monitoring those who have had treatment for these tumors.

How is HVA produced?

Homovanillic acid (HVA) is a major catecholamine metabolite that is produced by a consecutive action of monoamine oxidase and catechol-O-methyltransferase on dopamine. Homovanillic acid is used as a reagent to detect oxidative enzymes, and is associated with dopamine levels in the brain.

What causes high VMA?

Clinical Information Vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) and other catecholamine metabolites (homovanillic acid: HVA and dopamine) are typically elevated in patients with catecholamine-secreting tumors (eg, neuroblastoma, pheochromocytoma, and other neural crest tumors).

What does HVA and VMA mean in a urine test?

Homovanillic acid (HVA) and vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) measurements in urine are used for screening children for catecholamine-secreting tumors such as neuroblastoma, pheochromocytoma, and other neural crest tumors and monitoring those who have had treatment for these tumors.

What causes HVA and VMA to be elevated?

Moderately elevated HVA (homovanillic acid) and VMA (vanillylmandelic acid) can be caused by a variety of factors such as essential hypertension, intense anxiety, intense physical exercise, and numerous drug interactions (including some over-the-counter medications and herbal products).

What does the HVA/VMA ratio reflect?

The HVA/VMA ratio reflects the balance between dopamine and norepinephrine/ epinephrine production by catecholamine producing neurons in the central nervous system, sympathetic nervous system, and adrenal gland. – A common reason for an elevation of the HVA/VMA ratio is a decreased conversion of dopamine to norepinephrine.

What do elevated homovanillic acid and vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) levels indicate?

Elevated values of homovanillic acid (HVA), vanillylmandelic acid (VMA), and other catecholamine metabolites (eg, dopamine) may be suggestive of the presence of a catecholamine-secreting tumor (eg, neuroblastoma, pheochromocytoma, or other neural crest tumors).