Adrenaline • Effect and what the laboratory value means

Adrenaline makes the body ready to perform. The blood pressure and heart rate increase to supply all muscles with adequate blood. But an increased adrenaline level can also have a pathological cause. This is what the laboratory values ​​say.

The adrenaline level can be analyzed in the blood or urine in the laboratory.
© Getty Images / WLADIMIR BULGAR / SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Adrenaline is not only released from the body at the right moments, medicine also uses the properties of the hormone: In cardiac arrest, the administration of adrenaline is one of the first measures. It increases blood pressure and blood flow in the heart, which can help return the heart to its normal rhythm.

Article overview:

Blood count: important values ​​and what they mean

Blood count: important values ​​and what they mean

What is adrenaline

Adrenaline (also known as epinephrine) is a hormone made in the adrenal medulla. Together with norepinephrine and dopamine, it belongs to the catecholamines. These hormones can be released into the blood very quickly when needed. For example, whether adrenaline is released is controlled by a messenger substance in the nervous system, the so-called acetylcholine. This happens, among other things, when the body is in a stressful situation. That is why catecholamines are also known as stress hormones.

A stress hormone like adrenaline triggers the following reactions in the body:

  • increased blood pressure
  • increased heart rate
  • Increase in blood sugar levels
  • increased sweat secretion
  • slowed bowel movement
  • Expansion of the airways

In summary, the body mobilizes all energy reserves in order to provide physical performance. In dangerous situations everything in the organism is prepared for “fight” or “flight” – the body is more efficient for a certain time.

When is the adrenaline level determined?

Reasons for the laboratory determination of adrenaline can be a persistently high blood pressure, which is possibly caused by the hormone. A sudden, sharp rise in blood pressure – often in combination with headaches, sweating and paleness – can also result from increased catecholamine production.

Adrenaline: normal values ​​and methods of measurement

Blood plasmaurine
Normal adrenaline levelsLess than 50 picograms / milliliter (ng / L)Less than 20 micrograms / day (µg / day)

The adrenaline content can be measured both in the blood, more precisely in the blood plasma, and in the 24-hour urine via the breakdown product vanillin-mandelic acid. In order to obtain evidence in the urine, ten milliliters of urine must be collected over a period of 24 hours. When the blood is taken, the person to be examined must lie down half an hour beforehand so that the adrenaline level does not rise.

How do increased adrenaline levels occur?

There are several causes that can increase the levels of adrenaline in the body. Pheochromocytomas are rare, mostly benign tumors of the adrenal glands. They are able to produce larger amounts of catecholamines and therefore possibly responsible for increased adrenaline levels in the laboratory.

In addition, various influencing variables are to be avoided before the sample is taken or to be taken into account in the evaluation of the values. Some of the factors that increase adrenaline levels include:

  • physical and psychological stress (for example after surgery or a heart attack)
  • High blood pressure (hypertension)
  • Low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia)
  • coffee
  • tea
  • alcohol
  • nicotine
  • Drops from the nose and cough
  • Appetite suppressants

Some antidepressants can also affect adrenaline levels.

Causes and symptoms of low adrenaline levels

A lack of catecholamines, including adrenaline, can arise when the adrenal medulla is damaged. A decreased adrenaline level is possible in the following circumstances:

If there are not enough catecholamines such as adrenaline in the body, symptoms such as dizziness, ringing in the ears, headache or palpitations can occur. They are caused by impaired blood pressure regulation. Medications that increase blood pressure can help relieve symptoms. In addition, the cause of the catecholamine deficiency should be eliminated or treated.

White blood cells in the blood: This means high and low values


White blood cells in the blood: This means high and low values




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