What Would Cause Elevated Metanephrine Levels In Blood And Urine?

Posted on Sun, 25 Mar 2018

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 25 Mar 2018 Answered on

Fri, 5 May 2023 Last reviewed on

Question : What would cause elevated metanephrine levels in blood and urine 3 times in lab testing?

I do not respond well to anxiety medications, make me feel worse. Feel a lot of irritation, often feeling like my hormones rage. Had cortisol stimulating tests in the past that have tested normal.

Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Phaeochromocytoma!

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

This is very specific for pheochromocytoma. Talk to your endocrinologist about this. If he cannot locate the tumor, he may want to treat medically.

Let me know what the response from him/her is.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Thank you.

Regards,
Dr. Ivo Ditah
Internal Medicine Specialist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ivo Ditah (18 minutes later)

My endocrinologist is completely convinced I do not have a pheocromocytoma/paranglioma/parasympathetic paranglioma or any endocrine problem at all. He blamed my elevated testing on generalized anxiety disorder.

Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Why not seek a second opinion from another endocrinologist!

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

I am not sure I have ever heard of anxiety leading to increased levels of metanephrines, up to three times the normal limit. I strongly recommend that you seek a second opinion from another endocrinologist in your area. Do not bring up this notion of anxiety being responsible for the increased levels and let's see if he would say the same thing. I am much reserved about this.

I wish you well. Hope I have answered your query.

Thank you.

Regards,
Dr. Ivo Ditah
Internal Medicine Specialist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar