Specimen Requirements

Inpatients

A paper request must be sent to laboratory. Physician must order clonidine, 0.3 mg, orally and clonidine must be ordered from pharmacy.

Outpatients

A written request must accompany patient for testing and drug administration. Physician must order clonidine, 0.3 mg, orally.

Laboratory Orders
1. Laboratory orders BASEL for baseline specimen.

2. At next prompt, order Catecholamine Fractionation, Plasma, Free (CATBF) performed at Mayo Medical Laboratories.

3. Laboratory orders 1-, 2-, and 3-hour post specimens the same way, using ONEH, TWOH, and THRE.

Patient Preparation and Specimen Collection

Specimen must arrive within 30 minutes of draw.

See Catecholamine Fractionation, Plasma, Free (CATBF) for patient preparation and specimen required.

Note: 1. This test takes approximately 4 hours.

2. Patient is recumbent throughout procedure.

3. Patient should be fasting after 2400 (midnight).

4. No medications should be taken for 12 hours prior to testing and no beta-blockers for 48 hours prior to test.

5. No walnuts or bananas for 1 week prior to testing.