3018617
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5-Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid (HIAA) by LC-MS/MS, Random Urine

HIAA RAND

Ordering Recommendation

Use to diagnose carcinoid tumors and monitor disease.

New York DOH Approval Status

This test is New York state approved.

Specimen Required

Patient Preparation

Patients should abstain, if possible, from medications, over-the-counter drugs, and herbal remedies for at least 72 hours prior to the test. Foods rich in serotonin (avocados, bananas, eggplant, pineapple, plums, tomatoes, walnuts) and medications that may affect metabolism of serotonin must be avoided at least 72 hours before and during collection of urine for HIAA.

Collect

Random urine.

Specimen Preparation

Transfer 4 mL aliquot from a well-mixed random collection to an ARUP standard transport tube. (Min: 1 mL).

Storage/Transport Temperature

Refrigerated.

Unacceptable Conditions

Any sample except urine.

Remarks

Please see Note for a more comprehensive list of dietary restrictions.

Stability

Ambient: Unacceptable; Refrigerated: 1 week; Frozen: 2 months

Methodology

Quantitative High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Performed

Sun-Sat

Reported

1-5 days

Reference Interval

Test Number
 Components
 Reference Interval
  5-HIAA Urine - ratio to CRT 0.0-14.0 mg/g creatinine

Interpretive Data

Increased urine 5-HIAA concentration is common and may be the result of improper specimen collection, consumption of serotonin containing foods or dietary supplements, drug interference, or malabsorption syndromes. Significant elevation (ten times the upper reference limit) of urine 5-HIAA may indicate the presence of a carcinoid tumor.

No reference interval is available for results reported in units of mg/L.

Compliance Category

Laboratory Developed Test (LDT)

Note

Foods and medications associated with altered urinary HIAA results:

Decreased HIAA: Aspirin, chlorpromazine (Thorazine), corticotropin, dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, alcohol, gentisic acid, homogentisic acid, hydrazine derivatives, imipramine (Tofranil), isocarboxazid (Marplan), keto acids, levodopa, MAO inhibitors, methenamine, methyldopa (Aldomet), perchlorperazine, phenothiazines (Compazine), promazine, promethazine (Mepergan).

Increased HIAA: Acetaminophen, acetanilide, caffeine, coumaric acid, diazepam (Valium), ephedrine, fluorouracil, glyceryl guaiacolate (guaifenesin), melphalan (Alkeran), mephenesin, methamphetamine (Desoxyn), methocarbamol (Robaxin), naproxen, nicotine, phenacetin, phenmetrazine, phenobarbital, phentolamine, rauwolfia (Reserpine).

Hotline History

View Hotline History

 

Hotline History

Date of Change
Test Name Change
Methodology
Performance/Reported Schedule
Specimen Requirements
Reference Interval
Interpretive Data
Note
CPT Code
Component Change
Other Interface Change
New Test
Inactive
03/04/2025
X
N/A

CPT Codes

83497

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Components

Component Test Code* Component Chart Name LOINC
0020207 Creatinine, Urine - per volume 2161-8
0080238 5-HIAA Urine Interpretation 44909-0
0080321 5-HIAA Urine - per volume 31203-3
0081343 5-HIAA Urine - ratio to CRT 44288-9
* Component test codes cannot be used to order tests. The information provided here is not sufficient for interface builds; for a complete test mix, please click the sidebar link to access the Interface Map.

Aliases

  • 5-HIAA
  • Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid
  • 5-OH-Indoleacetic Acid
  • Serotonin Metabolite
5-Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid (HIAA) by LC-MS/MS, Random Urine