Analysis index

1 ml serum, without haemolysis, 4 ml EDTA-blood (for measurement in thrombocytes), 10 ml of 24 h urine (stored at 4-8°C during collection). Please state 24 h urine volume.

Serum: < 200 µg/l
EDTA-blood: < 20 µg/l
Urine:  < 200 µg/24 h
Serotonin in thrombocytes: 445-1085 ng/10⁹ thrombocytes

Suspicion for carcinoid syndrome

From two days prior to urine collection the patient should stop taking the following drugs and avoid the following food to avoid false positive results: medications: paracetamol, cumarins, mephenesin, acetanilide, ephedrine-HCL, methamphetamine, nicotine, phentolamine, coffeine, phenacetin, methocarbamol. food: bananas, walnuts, tomatoes, pineapples, red and blackcurrant, plums, gooseberry, mirabelles, melon, avocados, aubergines. to avoid false negative results: medications: acetylsalicylic acid, levodopa, promethazine, isoniacid, methenamin, chlorpromazine.