Urine 5HIAA

Code:
UHIAA

Sample Type:

24 hour urine (24 Hour Collection Bottle with Acetic Acid Preservative)

Random urine – plain, no preservative

Ref Ranges/Units:

24 hour:  
Normal <46 µmol/24hrs 
May be dietary cause 46-90 µmol/24hrs 
Unlikely to be dietary >90 µmol/24hrs                                                    

Random <4.0 µmol/mmol creatinine 

Turnaround:

Referral test – within 3 weeks

Stability:

Acidify to pH 3 – 3.5. 

Once acidified, stable for:
10 days at 4-8°C 
Can be stored long term at -20°C

Special Precautions/Comments:

Patient should avoid serotonin rich foods (bananas, avocados, aubergine, pineapples, kiwi fruit, walnuts and tomatoes) 3 days before and during collection. 

Additional Information:

5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-HIAA) is a metabolite of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) and is excreted in the urine. 5-HIAA is measured to investigate the presence of a carcinoid tumour of enterochromaffin cells in the gut. Carcinoid tumours are associated with excess production of serotonin, result in a variety of symptoms such as flushing, diarrhoea, heart palpitations, abdominal cramps and peripheral oedema. In the first instance, 5-HIAA is screened for and subsequently quantified if positive.  

Measurement of chromogranin A is also useful in the investigation of carcinoid tumours.  

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