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Homovanilinic acid in urine
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 05.07.2025
Reference values (norm) for urinary excretion of homovanillic acid are up to 82 μmol/day (up to 15 mg/day).
Homovanillic acid (beta-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid) is the main end product of dopamine and norepinephrine metabolism, formed as a result of oxymethylation and oxidative deamination of these catecholamines.
Increased secretion of homovanillic acid occurs in pheochromocytoma; neuroblastoma; hypertension (during crises ); in the acute period of myocardial infarction and attacks of angina pectoris (due to the reaction of the sympathoadrenal system to pain and collapse); hepatitis and cirrhosis of the liver (as a result of impaired catecholamine catabolism); exacerbation of peptic ulcer disease (reaction to pain and collapse); hypothalamic, or diencephalic, syndrome (due to disturbances in the regulation of the sympathoadrenal system); under the influence of smoking, physical activity and stress.
A decrease in the content of homovanillic acid in urine is observed in Addison's disease, collagenoses, acute leukemia and acute infectious diseases (as a result of intoxication, the activity of chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla is suppressed ).
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