Test Name
VANILLYLMANDELIC ACID (VMA), 24HR URINE
Aliases
3-METHOXY-4-HYDROXYMANDELIC ACID, 4-HYDROXY-3-METHOXYMANDELATE
Abbreviations
VMA
Test Classification
GROUPED TEST
Department
SPECIAL CHEMISTRY
Sub Department
-
TAT Category
BUSINESS (WORKING) TIME
Estimated TAT
96
TAT Units
HOURS
Test Requirements
1. Provide clinical history & patient's current drug history.
2. 2. 10mL aliquot of 24 hour urine (preferred if transporting/ shipping) or entire 24 hour urine volume collection is required. TOTAL 24 hour urine volume (mL) is MANDATORY (if an aliquot is submitted).
3. Discontinue antihypertensive drugs if feasible (multiple drugs can increase or decrease VMA levels; to be done by the patient in consultation with the attending clinician).
4. Do not consume foods rich in serotonin (e.g. bananas, pineapple, cereals, potatoes, coffee, tea, chocolate, vanilla etc.) For 72 hours prior to sample collection. Avoid strenuous exercise.
5. Accurately timed 24 hour collection (e.g. 6a.m., day 1 to 6a.m., day 2) is crucial for result accuracy. Collect urine in a clean wide mouth container & transfer entire collection into the container that was provided by the lab. Refrigerate during collection. Keep container supplied by the lab out of reach of children (contains corrosive substances i.e. 10mL 6M HCl).
6. Patients must be furnished with sufficient instructions prior to collection: refer to relevant phlebotomy aid (Phleb/Aid7) or lab handbook section on 24 hour urine collection or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjF-9n0FOrw video
SHIPPING/ TRANSPORTATION REQUIREMENTS Shipping Temperature: Frozen ANALYTE STABILITY Room Temperature: 7 DAYS at 20-25°C │ Refrigerated: 7 DAYS at 2-8°C │ Frozen: 12 MONTHS at -20°C
2. 2. 10mL aliquot of 24 hour urine (preferred if transporting/ shipping) or entire 24 hour urine volume collection is required. TOTAL 24 hour urine volume (mL) is MANDATORY (if an aliquot is submitted).
3. Discontinue antihypertensive drugs if feasible (multiple drugs can increase or decrease VMA levels; to be done by the patient in consultation with the attending clinician).
4. Do not consume foods rich in serotonin (e.g. bananas, pineapple, cereals, potatoes, coffee, tea, chocolate, vanilla etc.) For 72 hours prior to sample collection. Avoid strenuous exercise.
5. Accurately timed 24 hour collection (e.g. 6a.m., day 1 to 6a.m., day 2) is crucial for result accuracy. Collect urine in a clean wide mouth container & transfer entire collection into the container that was provided by the lab. Refrigerate during collection. Keep container supplied by the lab out of reach of children (contains corrosive substances i.e. 10mL 6M HCl).
6. Patients must be furnished with sufficient instructions prior to collection: refer to relevant phlebotomy aid (Phleb/Aid7) or lab handbook section on 24 hour urine collection or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjF-9n0FOrw video
SHIPPING/ TRANSPORTATION REQUIREMENTS Shipping Temperature: Frozen ANALYTE STABILITY Room Temperature: 7 DAYS at 20-25°C │ Refrigerated: 7 DAYS at 2-8°C │ Frozen: 12 MONTHS at -20°C
Clinical Utility
VMA is a metabolite of noradrenaline (norepinephrine) which is a catecholamine. Evaluation of suspected secondary hypertension and catecholamine secreting tumours like pheochromocytoma, neuroblastoma and paraganglioma.
Last Review
26th Feb 2026