Test Price
800 AED✅ Home Collection Available
5-HIAA (5-Hydroxy Indole Acetic Acid) Random Urine Test | 800 AED | DHA Licensed – DNA Labs UAE
Executive Summary & Core Metrics
- ✓ Accuracy Guarantee: 99.9% Diagnostic Sensitivity via ISO 9001:2015 Accredited Processing (Cert: INT/EGQ/2509DA/3139). High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) with mass spectrometry confirmation for carcinoid tumor screening.
- ✓ Premium Logistics: VIP Mobile Phlebotomy & Temperature-Controlled Cold-Chain Home Collection available daily from 8 AM to 11 PM. Specimen pH-adjusted onsite per DHA protocol.
- ✓ Clinical Guidance: Telephonic Post-Test Clinical Guidance for result interpretation by qualified clinical staff. Direct physician referral coordination when indicated.
- ✓ Insurance: Direct Billing Verification via WhatsApp at +971 54 548 8731. All major UAE insurers accepted.
DNA Labs UAE | DHA Facility License: 1143 | Premises 105, Floor 1, Building 33, Dubai Healthcare City, Dubai, UAE
Test Overview & Methodology
The 5-HIAA Random Urine Test measures 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, the primary metabolite of serotonin, to aid in the diagnosis and monitoring of carcinoid tumors — slow-growing neuroendocrine malignancies that secrete excessive serotonin. This test is essential for patients presenting with flushing, wheezing, diarrhea, and valvular heart disease, the hallmark tetrad of carcinoid syndrome.
| Feature | Our Test — HPLC with MS Confirmation | Standard Immunoassay Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Analytical Precision | HPLC + Mass Spectrometry — Gold Standard | ELISA-based — cross-reactivity risk |
| Diagnostic Sensitivity | 99.9% — detects low-level serotonin metabolites | ~85% — may miss early-stage carcinoid |
| Turnaround Time | 5–7 Working Days — comprehensive report | 3–5 Days — limited quantification |
| Interference Resistance | Superior specificity; diet/drug interferences documented | High cross-reactivity with dietary amines |
| DHA/MOHAP Compliance | Full Compliance — ISO 9001:2015 Certified | Variable — facility-dependent |
Pre-Test Preparation — Mandatory 72-Hour Restriction Protocol
To ensure accurate results, the following must be strictly avoided for at least 72 hours before and during specimen collection:
Foods to Avoid
- Banana
- Kiwi
- Walnut
- Avocado
- Eggplant (Brinjal)
- Pineapple
- Plum
- Tomato
Medications & Substances
- Fluorouracil, Melphalan
- Paracetamol / Acetaminophen
- Heparin, L-dopa, Reserpine
- Salicylates, Chlorpromazine
- Imipramine, Isoniazid
- MAO Inhibitors
- Phenothiazines, Promethazine
Lifestyle Restrictions
- Alcoholic beverages
- Caffeine — coffee & tea
- Tobacco / nicotine products
- Strenuous physical exercise
Specimen Collection: 50 mL (minimum 10 mL) random urine. pH adjusted to 1–2 using 50% HCl (drop by drop). Do NOT use concentrated HCl. Ship refrigerated or frozen.
Physician Insight & Safety Protocols
"As a clinician with extensive experience in oncologic imaging and diagnostic radiology, I strongly emphasize that the 5-HIAA urine test is a powerful screening tool but must always be interpreted within the full clinical context. A single elevated result does not equate to a carcinoid diagnosis — dietary indiscretion, medication interference, and even stress can transiently elevate serotonin metabolites. I urge every patient to undergo this test under structured medical supervision and to never self-interpret laboratory data. Your physician will correlate these findings with imaging studies, clinical examination, and possibly Chromogranin A levels before reaching a diagnostic conclusion."
— Mr. Prabhakar Reddy Kalathoor, Specialist Diagnostic Radiology | DHA Registration ID: 61713011
Critical Medication Advisory
Do not discontinue any prescribed medication without consulting your treating physician. Certain drugs including Fluorouracil, Melphalan, L-dopa, Reserpine, MAO inhibitors, Salicylates, Chlorpromazine, Imipramine, Isoniazid, Phenothiazines, Promethazine, Paracetamol (Acetaminophen), and Heparin may interfere with 5-HIAA results. Your doctor will advise on safe temporary cessation if clinically appropriate.
Patient Safety: Exclusion Criteria & Emergency Red Flags
Exclusion Criteria for Home Collection
- Active febrile illness (temperature >38.5°C) within 24 hours
- Acute abdominal pain or suspected surgical abdomen
- Hemodynamic instability (systolic BP <90 mmHg or >180 mmHg)
- Known anaphylaxis to latex or antiseptic agents used in phlebotomy
- Minors without documented guardian consent per UAE regulatory standards
- Inability to produce minimum 10 mL urine aliquot
Emergency Red Flags — Seek Immediate Medical Attention
- Severe facial flushing with dyspnea or wheezing
- Profuse watery diarrhea (>10 episodes/day) with dehydration
- New-onset palpitations, syncope, or right-sided heart failure symptoms
- Unexplained severe hypertension or hypotension
- Acute confusion, agitation, or serotonin-syndrome-like presentation
- Sudden severe abdominal pain with guarding or rigidity
If you experience any of the above, proceed to the nearest Emergency Department immediately. This test is not a substitute for acute medical evaluation.
Patient FAQ & Clinical Guidance
1. What does an elevated 5-HIAA level in random urine indicate, and how accurate is this test?
An elevated 5-HIAA level in random urine strongly suggests excessive serotonin production, most commonly associated with carcinoid tumors — with our HPLC-MS methodology delivering 99.9% diagnostic sensitivity when combined with proper pre-test dietary and medication restriction protocols. Normal values typically range from 2–8 mg per 24 hours (or 2–8 mg/g creatinine in random samples), and levels above 25 mg/24h are highly suggestive of carcinoid syndrome. However, false elevations can occur due to dietary intake of serotonin-rich foods (bananas, avocados, walnuts, tomatoes) or interfering medications such as L-dopa, MAO inhibitors, and acetaminophen — which is why our mandatory 72-hour restriction protocol is critical. Confirmatory testing with Chromogranin A and imaging studies (CT/MRI, Octreotide scan, or Gallium-68 DOTATATE PET) is recommended for definitive diagnosis.
2. How should I prepare for the 5-HIAA urine test, and why is a 72-hour restriction necessary?
Proper preparation requires strict avoidance of serotonin-interfering foods, medications, and lifestyle factors for a full 72 hours before and during specimen collection — because even a single serving of banana, avocado, or walnut can falsely elevate 5-HIAA levels by 200-400%, leading to unnecessary anxiety, additional testing, and potential misdiagnosis. You must avoid the eight specific foods listed in our protocol (banana, kiwi, walnut, avocado, eggplant, pineapple, plum, tomato), all listed medications including over-the-counter paracetamol, and abstain from alcohol, caffeine, tobacco, and strenuous exercise. A 50 mL random urine sample is collected, acidified to pH 1-2 onsite by our phlebotomist using 50% HCl, and immediately refrigerated for cold-chain transport to our ISO-certified laboratory. If you are on any prescription medication, consult your physician before making any changes.
3. How long does it take to receive my 5-HIAA result, and what are the next steps after receiving the report?
Results for the 5-HIAA Random Urine Test are typically available within 5 to 7 working days using High Performance Liquid Chromatography with mass spectrometry — the gold standard methodology endorsed by DHA, delivering 99.9% diagnostic accuracy when pre-test protocols are followed. After receiving your result, you must consult your specialist physician (oncologist, nephrologist, or gastroenterologist) for full clinical interpretation. Your doctor will correlate 5-HIAA levels with Chromogranin A and diagnostic imaging studies. If a significant elevation is found, your physician may recommend Gallium-68 DOTATATE PET or Octreotide scanning to localize the carcinoid tumor. A telephonic post-test clinical guidance session is available to explain findings in plain language. Results are shared securely via our patient portal, and direct physician referral coordination is provided when clinically indicated. For urgent clinical concerns, contact our support line at +971 54 548 8731.
UAE Regulatory & Data Privacy Adherence
DNA Labs UAE strictly complies with all UAE federal data protection and health information governance frameworks. All patient data and clinical results are processed and stored within the UAE jurisdiction under the provisions of Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021 on Personal Data Protection (PDPL) and Federal Law No. 2 of 2019 Concerning the Use of Information and Communication Technology in Health Fields. Patient safety and clinical consent protocols adhere to Federal Decree-Law No. 4 of 2016 on Medical Liability. No diagnostic data is shared with third parties without explicit patient consent, and all electronic health records are maintained on DHA-compliant secure servers.
Clinical & Logistical Metadata
| Test Name | 5-HIAA (5-Hydroxy Indole Acetic Acid) Random Urine Test |
| Price (AED) | 800 AED |
| Turnaround Time | 5–7 Working Days |
| Sample Type / Matrix | Random Urine (Minimum 10 mL, pH-adjusted to 1–2) |
| Methodology Used | High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) with Mass Spectrometry (MS) Confirmation |
| ICD-10-CM Code | C7A.00 (Malignant Carcinoid, Unknown Primary), E34.0 (Carcinoid Syndrome), Z12.8 (Neoplasm Screening) |
| LOINC Code | 13982-7 — 5-Hydroxyindoleacetate [Mass/vol] in Urine |
| DHA Facility License & Address | Premises 105, Floor 1, Building 33, Dubai Healthcare City, Dubai, UAE | License No: 1143 |
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