Catecholamines - blood

Alternative names:

adrenalin-test; dopamine; epinephrine-test; norepinephrine

What the risks are:

• excessive bleeding
• fainting or feeling lightheaded
• hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
• infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)
• multiple punctures to locate veins

Special considerations:

The test's accuracy is affected by several foods and drugs as well as such things as physical activity and stress (see "How to prepare for the test").

Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.