What does the Dopamine test measure?

Why is Dopamine measured?

Plasma dopamine is measured in the context of suspected neuroendocrine tumours, primarily phaeochromocytoma and paraganglioma, where a secreting tumour can elevate circulating catecholamines. It is rarely elevated in isolation — adrenaline, noradrenaline, and their urinary metanephrines are more sensitive — but dopamine-secreting paragangliomas, though uncommon, may present with dopamine as the sole or dominant marker. Plasma dopamine is not used to assess central dopaminergic pathways (Parkinson disease, schizophrenia, attention disorders) or motivation; those are separate neuropsychiatric domains without a validated blood test.

Reference ranges

Standard reference

Approximately <30 pg/mL in supine resting state; assay-specific.

Functional medicine optimal

Not applicable; plasma dopamine is interpreted within the clinical context of suspected tumour. Mildly elevated values or values near the reference limit require correlation with metanephrines, imaging, and repeat measurement under standardised collection conditions.

Units

pg/mL, pmol/L

Reference ranges vary by laboratory and assay platform. Interpret in context of the issuing laboratory's stated range.