VMA urine tests are useful diagnostic tools for identifying disorders, tumors, and cancerous growth in the body. By measuring the VMA levels in the urine, doctors can identify potential health issues, including conditions like pheochromocytoma and neuroblastoma and provide timely medical care.
Vanillylmandelic Acid (VMA) is the metabolic by-product of a group of hormones called catecholamine-adrenaline (epinephrine) and norepinephrine. These catecholamine hormones play an essential role in the body's functioning, especially the sympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the body's "fight or flight" response. Both are released by the adrenal glands in response to the brain perceiving the signs of acute stress or danger. When epinephrine and norepinephrine are released into the bloodstream, they help transmit nerve impulses in the brain, dilate pupils, increase glucose and fatty acid release for energy, and speed up the heartbeat. It allows energy to be transported to muscles and brains more quickly. However, certain factors can affect the body’s ability to produce or respond to either norepinephrine or epinephrine and increasing or declining levels of these hormones can often indicate several health conditions.
Low levels can result in several physical and mental symptoms, including
Anxiety
Depression
Fluctuating blood pressure
Irregular heart rate
Low blood pressure
Migraine
Insomnia
Whereas, symptoms of higher levels of epinephrine or norepinephrine include
High Blood pressure
Irregular heart rate
Hyperhidrosis or excessive sweating
Jittering
Frequent headaches
Pale skin
Fluctuating levels can be an indicator of potentially life-threatening diseases.
The VMA urine test is performed to detect the levels of these catecholamines. This test examines the quantity of VMA excreted into the urine over 24 hours to detect cancer and tumor-causing agents, known as neuroblastomas and other neuroendocrine disorders in the adrenal glands and nervous system.
Neuroblastomas are a type of Neuroendocrine tumour that is formed in the cells of the neuroendocrine system, which is made of a combination of cells that produce hormones and nerve cells present throughout the body in organs such as the kidney, liver, neck, chest, pelvis and the digestive system. Neuroblastomas are rare types of cancer developed in the adrenal glands of children in the age group of 5 and younger. The condition can produce large amounts of catecholamines, which result in elevated levels of epinephrine and norepinephrine and their metabolites.
If detected on time, most neuroblastomas can be easily treated with proper care and therapy. The VMA test, along with the HVA urine and other tests for catecholamines are prescribed for symptoms that are suggestive of neuroblastoma, such as,
An unusually hard lump in the abdominal area
Swelling of the neck
Difficulty breathing
Bone discomfort
Difficulty walking due to pain in the spine
Bruising around the eyes
Test Procedure & Preparation
The procedure for the 24-hour VMA test involves storing the urine in the refrigerator for 24 hours. Collecting urine over 24 hours provides a more accurate analysis of whether VMA levels have elevated or not.
There is no specific preparation required for a VMA urine test. However, since caffeine, cocoa, citrus fruits, bananas, allergies and medications can affect the test result; it is recommended to consult a doctor before taking the test.
Test Results
VMA urine tests can be booked at a reasonable price from a reputed healthcare provider.
Normal ranges of the VMA test fall between 2.5-20.0 micromoles/24 hours (mmol/24h). However, since the VMA test is sensitive to many outside influences, there are higher chances of false positives. If a test result shows higher or lower levels of VMA in the urine, it is not necessarily indicative of an underlying condition. It is recommended to consult a healthcare professional for further diagnosis.