Analysis for noradrenaline: what it shows and when it should be taken

«"I'm constantly stressed. Is this normal or is it a hormonal imbalance?"»

The feeling that the body is working in emergency mode is familiar to many. Constant heartbeat, anxiety for no reason, sudden jumps in blood pressure are not always psychosomatic. Often these symptoms have hormonal nature, related to catecholamines, in particular — noradrenaline. To find out the reason, it is enough to do blood or urine noradrenaline level test.

What is noradrenaline?

Noradrenaline is hormone and neurotransmitter, secreted mainly by the adrenal glands and the sympathetic nervous system. It is responsible for the "fight or flight" response, i.e.:

• increases blood pressure

• accelerates the heartbeat

• constricts blood vessels

• mobilizes energy

Normally, norepinephrine helps you cope with stress. But its excess or deficiency leads to disruptions in the cardiovascular system, sleep, mood, and metabolism.

When is a noradrenaline test prescribed?

• Suspected pheochromocytoma or paraganglioma (hormonally active adrenal tumors)

• Constantly high blood pressure for no reason

• Paroxysmal hypertension with anxiety, sweating, palpitations

• Arrhythmias of unknown origin

• Assessment of stress reactions, panic attacks

• Diagnosis of autonomic dysfunction

• Monitoring in the treatment of adrenal tumors

How is the analysis performed?

Material:

• Blood plasma (venous sampling)

• Daily urine (more often when tumors are suspected)

Method:

• Liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry (high-precision method)

• Sometimes – fluorometry or ELISA

Preparation:

• Do not use caffeine, chocolate, bananas, vanilla, citrus fruits 2 days before analysis

• Avoid physical and emotional stress

• If possible - cancel some medications (beta-blockers, MAO inhibitors, sympathomimetics - in consultation with a doctor)

What results are considered normal?

For blood plasma:

• Noradrenaline:
  adults — < 600 pg/ml
  (exact limits depend on the laboratory)

For daily urine:

• Noradrenaline:
  < 80 mcg/day

What do deviations mean?

Increased noradrenaline:

• Pheochromocytoma, neuroblastoma, paraganglioma

• Stress, exercise, hypoglycemia

• Hypertensive crises

• Hyperthyroidism

Decreased noradrenaline:

• Orthostatic hypotension

• Sympathetic innervation disorders

• Parkinson's disease, Shy-Drager syndrome

• Dopamine beta hydroxylase deficiency

Is it possible to influence the level of noradrenaline?

• Stress management: yoga, breathing exercises, psychotherapy

• Physical activity: moderate activity stabilizes nervous regulation

• Food: foods with tyrosine (turkey, salmon, eggs) can support synthesis

• Medications: prescribed by a doctor for tumors or hypertension

Norepinephrine is not just about stress, but also about balance of the nervous, endocrine and cardiovascular systems. If the body is sending signals in the form of heart palpitations, hypertension, or panic, an analysis for this hormone can be the key to understanding the situation.