To help diagnose and monitor treatment for a carcinoid tumor that produces serotonin
To help diagnose and monitor treatment for a carcinoid tumor that produces serotonin
When you have symptoms suggestive of a carcinoid tumor, such as flushing, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and/or wheezing; at intervals following treatment
A 24-hour urine sample; rarely, a random urine sample or a blood sample drawn from a vein
You may be instructed to avoid certain foods and medications prior to this test. (For more details, see the “What is being tested?” section below.)
5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) is the primary breakdown product (metabolite) of serotonin, a chemical substance (neurotransmitter) that transmits messages between nerve cells. This test measures the amount of 5-HIAA in the urine or blood.
Serotonin is produced as needed by the nervous system, mainly the brain, but also special cells in the bronchial tubes (lungs) and gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It helps transmit nerve impulses and constrict blood vessels, participates in the wake-sleep cycle, and affects mood. After it is used by the body, serotonin is broken down in the liver, and its metabolites, including 5-HIAA, are eliminated in the urine.
Ordinarily, only small varying amounts of 5-HIAA are present in the urine. Large quantities of serotonin and 5-HIAA may be produced, however, by some carcinoid tumors. Carcinoid tumors are slow-growing noncancerous or cancerous neuroendocrine masses that can form in the GI tract, especially in the appendix, and in the lungs. About 2 out of every 3 carcinoid tumors are found in the GI tract with most of the rest occurring in the lungs, although they may affect other organs as well.
According to the American Cancer Society, there are about 8,000 neuroendocrine tumors or cancers that start in the GI tract and 2,000 to 4,000 that start in the lungs diagnosed each year in the United States. Many more of these tumors may exist, but most remain small and do not cause any symptoms. When carcinoid tumors are discovered in asymptomatic patients during surgical procedures performed for other reasons, they are called “incidental” tumors. A small percentage of these tumors may eventually grow large enough to cause obstructions in the intestines or bronchial tubes of the lungs.
About 10% of carcinoid tumors, primarily those found in the GI tract affecting the liver, will produce enough serotonin to cause symptoms, such as flushing of the face, diarrhea, a rapid heart rate, and wheezing, which are referred to as carcinoid syndrome. The serotonin that causes carcinoid syndrome may be released continuously or intermittently and can lead to significantly increased quantities of 5-HIAA in the blood and urine.
How is the sample collected for testing?
Is any test preparation needed to ensure the quality of the sample?
Test preparation is important for accurate 5-HIAA test results. Foods rich in serotonin such as avocados, bananas, pineapples, plums, cantaloupes, grapefruits, plantains, melons, kiwi fruits, walnuts, hickory nuts, butternuts, pecans, tomatoes, and eggplants can interfere with 5-HIAA measurement and should be avoided for 3 days prior to and during sample collection. There are also a variety of drugs that can affect metabolism of serotonin and thus the 5-HIAA test. It is important that you talk to your healthcare provider before decreasing or discontinuing any medications.
Some laboratories request for overnight fasting prior to collection of blood samples.
This form enables patients to ask specific questions about lab tests. Your questions will be answered by a laboratory scientist as part of a voluntary service provided by one of our partners, American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science. Please allow 2-3 business days for an email response from one of the volunteers on the Consumer Information Response Team.
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