What is adrenaline?
Adrenaline is an important hormone that is produced in the adrenal glands and released in greater amounts during stress. In threatening situations, adrenaline can ensure survival by setting the body to “fight” or “flight.” The adrenaline effect redistributes all the blood in the body: More blood flows to the muscles of the musculoskeletal system and to the lungs, and less to the digestive organs. The latter inhibits digestive processes.
Adrenaline causes a faster heartbeat, higher blood pressure, dilated pupils and increased sweat production. Sugar is released from the liver so that it is available to the muscles more quickly. Overall, the effects of adrenaline in the body are many and varied. However, all the changes ensure that the person is more efficient for some time and can thus face a dangerous situation.
When is adrenaline determined in the blood?
The adrenaline concentration can be determined in the blood plasma and via a degradation product (vanillic mandelic acid) in the 24-hour collection urine. The patient must lie still for 30 minutes before and during the blood sample is taken. This is because even standing for a short time increases adrenaline by 50 to 100 percent. The needle should be inserted into the vein about 30 minutes before the actual blood draw. In this way, an increased adrenaline level caused by the brief pain during the blood draw can drop again.
Adrenalin – blood values
|
in 24 h urine |
in blood plasma |
|
|
Adrenaline normal values |
≤ 20 µg/day |
< 50 pg/ml |
When is the adrenaline level low?
An adrenaline concentration that is too low has no medical significance.
When is the adrenaline level elevated?
Too much adrenaline in the blood is found especially in an adrenaline-producing tumor (pheochromocytoma). Other factors that can lead to a high adrenaline level are:
- Stress
- Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Alcohol
- Coffee
Adrenaline elevated in the blood: What to do?
In the case of elevated adrenaline levels, the doctor will perform further tests to determine the cause. Usually, the concentration of adrenaline is determined several times, since the blood level is subject to strong fluctuations. Once the cause is known, appropriate countermeasures can be initiated. For example, if the elevated adrenaline level is caused by a pheochromocytoma, surgery is necessary to remove the tumor.