5-HIAA

I recently had a 24hr urine collection done, when i looked at my results, my 5-HIAA was 67(h) and the normal was 45. Could you please tell me what this could mean. Thanks.

[rumpled]

I got this off a website.
"5-HIAA may be ordered by itself or along with a blood serotonin level to help diagnose and monitor carcinoid tumors. A 24-hour urine sample is preferred for the 5-HIAA test because the metabolite level in the urine can vary during the day. A random urine sample is sometimes tested, usually along with a urine creatinine level, when a 24-hour sample is not feasible. The random sample is not as accurate, however, and if the excess 5-HIAA is released intermittently, then it may be missed.

A significantly increased level of 5-HIAA in a 24-hour urine sample in a patient with carcinoid syndrome symptoms is suggestive but not diagnostic of a carcinoid tumor. In order to diagnose the condition, the tumor itself must be located and a sample of it examined. The doctor will frequently follow an abnormal test result with an order for an imaging scan to help locate any tumor(s) that may be present. "

You have to talk to your doctor about if your test is significant or not.