Collection Requirements

Patient Preparation: Patients should be relaxed in either a supine or upright position before blood is drawn. States of anxiety and stress can cause fluctuations in the catecholamine levels. Draw specimen in a pre-chilled green-top vacutainer. Patient should avoid alcohol, coffee, tea, tobacco and strenuous exercise prior to collection. Overnight fasting is required. Draw blood in a pre-chilled green sodium heparin tube. After drawing specimen place green top tube in a ice bath.