Dopamine (plasma)
What it measures, and what changes the number.
Dopamine is a catecholamine that acts as a nerve signaling chemical and is also a precursor of noradrenaline and adrenaline. This test measures the amount of dopamine circulating in plasma. Spanish language reports may list it as 'Dopamina en plasma'.
It is usually measured as part of a plasma catecholamine panel together with adrenaline and noradrenaline, since the three are made along the same pathway.
Catecholamines are very sensitive to collection conditions. Labs often ask for the blood to be drawn after a period of resting quietly, into a chilled tube that is quickly separated and frozen. Stress, posture, caffeine, nicotine, certain foods and many medicines can change the level. Methods such as HPLC or mass spectrometry are used, and results vary between labs.
Often read alongside: Adrenaline (plasma), Noradrenaline (plasma)