Biochemistry

Preferred Sample Type

5 Hydroxy Indole Acetic Acid (5HIAA)

Suitable Specimen Types

24 Hour Urine (Acid Collection)

5 Hydroxy Indole Acetic Acid (5HIAA)

Specimen Volume

24hr urine collection (3 mL urine required for assay)

Specimen Transport

Not applicable

Turnaround Time

7 Days

Sample Processing In Laboratory

No special transport conditions apply

General Information

Measurement of urinary 5-hydroxy indole-3-acetic acid (5HIAA) output is used in the diagnosis and follow up of patients with carcinoid tumours. These tumours are found principally in the gastrointestinal tract, but may also occur in the respiratory and urogenital tracts. The "carcinoid syndrome" is attributable to carcinoid tumours of the mid-gut with liver metastases or primary tumours, such as ovarian carcinoids, with direct drainage into the circulation. The classical syndrome consists of attacks of skin flushing, diarrhoea and less frequently bronchoconstriction. Features of the disease, which may vary between patients, are thought to be mediated by a variety of tumour-produced secretory products including the monoamine 5 hydroxytryptamine (5HT). The 5HT produced is metabolised to 5HIAA and excreted in the urine.

 

From 6th of April 2021 samples will be analysed at the Heartlands Laboratory

Patient Preparation

Patients should avoid serotonin-rich foods immediately prior to and during the urine collection (e.g. Banana, pineapple, tomatoes, kiwi fruit and various nuts). Please provide list of medications with request

Notes

None Given

Reference Range

5HIAA:  5-45 μmol/24h

5HIAA is affected by diet; levels can increase following ingestion of pineapples, kiwi fruit bananas and some nuts.

Specifications

  • EQA Status: UKNEQAS for Urinary Catecholamines Scheme
  • EQAS Scheme: Yes

Link to Further Information

http://www.labtestsonline.org.uk/understanding/analytes/5-hiaa/

Creation Date

Monday, 08 August 2011

Modification Date

Wednesday, 24 March 2021

General Information

General information about the website and its content

Read more

Location of Laboratories

Where the laboratories are located and information about the services offered at each laboratory

Read more

Copyright UHB Pathology 2018

Protection of Personal Information – Clinical Laboratory Services comply with the Trust Data Protection Policy and have procedures in place to allow the Directorate and it’s employees to comply with the Data Protection Act 1998 and associated best practice and guidance.

University Hospitals Birmingham medical laboratories at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Heartlands Hospital, Good Hope Hospital and Solihull Hospital are UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) accredited to the ISO 15189:2012 standard. For a list of accredited tests and other information please visit the UKAS website using the following link: https://www.ukas.com/find-an-organisation/

  • Molecular Pathology is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8759
  • Biochemistry is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8910
  • Haematology and Transfusion is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8784
  • Clinical Microbiology is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8760
  • Cellular Pathology is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 10141
  • Musculoskeletal laboratory is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 9897
  • Heartlands, Good Hope and Solihull Hospital pathology laboratories are a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No.8217.

Tests not appearing on the UKAS Schedule of Accreditation currently remain outside of our scope of accreditation. However, these tests have been validated to the same high standard as accredited tests and are performed by the same trained and competent staff.

For further test information, please visit the test database: http://qehbpathology.uk/test-database

For further information contact Louise Fallon, Quality Manager, 0121 371 5962