Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsFunctionCauses of Abnormal LevelsTestingFurther TestingSymptoms of Abnormal LevelsEffects of MedicationTreatment OptionsOutlookWhen to Contact a Healthcare Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Function
Causes of Abnormal Levels
Testing
Further Testing
Symptoms of Abnormal Levels
Effects of Medication
Treatment Options
Outlook
When to Contact a Healthcare Provider
Catecholamines, like adrenaline and dopamine, are chemical messengers released in response to emotional or physical stress. Catecholamines prepare the body to take action. High or low levels can cause or signal medical issues.
This article explains how catecholamines function, what high or low levels may indicate, ways a healthcare provider may test your catecholamine levels, and prognosis.
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Brain and Nervous System
How Do Catecholamines Function?
Catecholamines serve essential functions, described below.
Dopamine
Dopamine is one of the “feel good hormones” and is associated with the pleasure part of the brain. It is produced in a two-step process that occurs in the base of the brain.
Dopamine plays a role in:
What Does Dopamine Do for the Body?
Adrenaline (Epinephrine)
Adrenaline (epinephrine) plays a role in the body’s fight-or-flight stress response.
The adrenal glands trigger a flood of adrenaline into the blood when something stress-inducing happens. This process informs organs how to respond accordingly.
Adrenaline impacts the body in the following ways:
What Adrenaline Does and How to Control It
Noradrenaline (Norepinephrine)
Like other catecholamines, noradrenaline also helps the body respond to stress and plays a role in mood and concentration. It is produced in the adrenal glands in the adrenal medulla. Noradrenaline and adrenaline often work together.
Functions of noradrenaline include:
Adrenal Glands Function and Signs of Problems
Causes of Abnormal Catecholamine Levels
Certain tumors, explained below, can cause abnormal catecholamine levels.
Neuroendocrine Tumors
Neuroendocrine tumors are tumors that form in the cells that signal to your nervous system to release hormones into your bloodstream. Adrenal gland tumors (pheochromocytomas) are rare but can cause adrenaline overproduction.
Neuroblastoma
Neuroblastoma is a type of cancer that starts in developing nerve cells called neuroblasts. This type of early nerve cell cancer can be found in the fetus, embryo, or in infants and young children.Neuroblastomas affect the sympathetic nervous system, leading to abnormal catecholamine levels.
Types of Cancer and How They Differ
Catecholamines Tests
Catecholamines tests are used to rule out or confirm rare tumors. Urine tests are most common. If you’re getting blood work to test catecholamine levels, you may be required to fast (not eat anything) for 10 hours prior.
Certain foods and activities, including exposure to stress or vigorous exercising, can affect results. Foods include:
How Long Does Blood Work Take?
Is Further Testing Necessary?
What Is Genetic Testing?
Symptoms of Abnormal Catecholamine Levels
Abnormal catecholamine levels are those that are excessively high or low. Both situations cause symptoms. Generally speaking, high levels of certain catecholamines cause high blood pressure leading to headaches, sweating, heart pounding, chest pain, and anxiety.
Abnormal Dopamine Levels
Low dopamine levels are associated with medical conditions such asdepressionandParkinson’s disease. In cases of depression, low dopamine is associated with decreased or impaired motivation and concentration. In Parkinson’s disease, low dopamine is responsible for the characteristic stiff movements.
Depression
Abnormal Adrenaline Levels
If your body is triggering a flight-or-fight stress response in the absence of any real threat or danger, you may be experiencing high adrenaline levels. Symptoms of high adrenaline include:
Excessive adrenaline due to a medical issue may include symptoms like:
Low adrenaline is uncommon but may impair your ability to respond to emotional or physical stress.
Abnormal Noradrenaline Levels
Low noradrenaline levels are associated with low energy and lack of concentration and may play a role in depression andattention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). High levels can cause euphoria, panic attacks, high blood pressure, and hyperactivity.
Conditions associated with abnormal noradrenaline include:
What Is ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)?
Medications That Could Affect Catecholamine Levels
Many medications and substances may affect catecholamine levels. These include over-the-counter medications, prescription medications, and certain substances, including:
How Medication Works in Your Body
Treatment Options for High or Low Catecholamine Levels
Treatment options for high or low catecholamine levels are available. Exact treatment depends on cause, but may include medication or surgery.
Pheochromocytoma Treatment
Pheochromocytoma is a type of cancer that can cause tumors on the adrenal glands, which can cause abnormal adrenaline levels. Treatment options for pheochromocytoma include:
What to Expect With Chemotherapy
Neuroblastoma Treatment
Neuroblastoma treatment options vary based on age and disease severity. The following are neuroblastoma treatment options:
Immunotherapy is a new option being tested in clinical trials.
Immunotherapy for Cancer: What Are My Options?
What’s the Outlook for Someone With Abnormal Catecholamines?
Outlook depends on the cause. Early detection and treatment advances have greatly improved the prognosis for people with abnormal catecholamines. For example, people with pheochromocytoma in the 1960s faced a 50% survival rate; the risk of mortality (dying from a condition) is now less than 2% with treatment.
What Survival Rate Really Means With Cancer
If you’re experiencing signs or symptoms of abnormal catecholamines, consult with a healthcare provider. Be sure to mention any medications (both prescription and over-the-counter) and medical conditions.
What Is a Healthcare Provider?
Summary
Catecholamines play an essential function in your body’s stress-response system. Abnormal levels can indicate medical issues. Testing can determine your levels and next best steps. Outlook depends on cause and treatments are available.
12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Harvard Health.Dopamine: The pathway to pleasure.Endocrine Society.Adrenal hormones-adrenaline.Endocrine Society.Adrenal hormones-noradrenaline.National Cancer Institute.Definition of neuroendocrine tumor.American Cancer Society.Tumors: What is neuroblastoma.Mount Sinai.Catecholamine blood test.University of California San Francisco.Catecholamine blood test.National Cancer Institute.Neuroblastoma treatment - PDQ patient version.National Cancer Institute.Catecholamine.Endocrine Society.Adrenal hormones- noradrenaline.Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.What are the treatments for pheochromocytoma.UCLA Health.Pheochromocytoma.
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Harvard Health.Dopamine: The pathway to pleasure.Endocrine Society.Adrenal hormones-adrenaline.Endocrine Society.Adrenal hormones-noradrenaline.National Cancer Institute.Definition of neuroendocrine tumor.American Cancer Society.Tumors: What is neuroblastoma.Mount Sinai.Catecholamine blood test.University of California San Francisco.Catecholamine blood test.National Cancer Institute.Neuroblastoma treatment - PDQ patient version.National Cancer Institute.Catecholamine.Endocrine Society.Adrenal hormones- noradrenaline.Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.What are the treatments for pheochromocytoma.UCLA Health.Pheochromocytoma.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Harvard Health.Dopamine: The pathway to pleasure.Endocrine Society.Adrenal hormones-adrenaline.Endocrine Society.Adrenal hormones-noradrenaline.National Cancer Institute.Definition of neuroendocrine tumor.American Cancer Society.Tumors: What is neuroblastoma.Mount Sinai.Catecholamine blood test.University of California San Francisco.Catecholamine blood test.National Cancer Institute.Neuroblastoma treatment - PDQ patient version.National Cancer Institute.Catecholamine.Endocrine Society.Adrenal hormones- noradrenaline.Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.What are the treatments for pheochromocytoma.UCLA Health.Pheochromocytoma.
Harvard Health.Dopamine: The pathway to pleasure.
Endocrine Society.Adrenal hormones-adrenaline.
Endocrine Society.Adrenal hormones-noradrenaline.
National Cancer Institute.Definition of neuroendocrine tumor.
American Cancer Society.Tumors: What is neuroblastoma.
Mount Sinai.Catecholamine blood test.
University of California San Francisco.Catecholamine blood test.
National Cancer Institute.Neuroblastoma treatment - PDQ patient version.
National Cancer Institute.Catecholamine.
Endocrine Society.Adrenal hormones- noradrenaline.
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.What are the treatments for pheochromocytoma.
UCLA Health.Pheochromocytoma.
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