What does the Dopamine, Urine test measure?

Why is Dopamine, Urine measured?

In Sanesco's clinical framework, urinary dopamine reflects peripheral catecholamine synthesis capacity from tyrosine, guiding precursor supplementation with L-tyrosine or L-phenylalanine. Low dopamine output in functional interpretation is associated with reduced motivation, executive dysfunction, fatigue, and mood dysregulation. Markedly elevated urinary dopamine warrants clinical consideration of catecholamine-secreting tumour (phaeochromocytoma, paraganglioma) before functional attribution — particularly when accompanied by elevated norepinephrine and epinephrine. Urinary dopamine is not a validated surrogate for mesolimbic, nigrostriatal, or mesocortical dopaminergic pathway activity.

Reference ranges

Standard reference

# REVIEWER FLAG: Confirm Sanesco reference range for urinary dopamine — catecholamine reference intervals are sensitive to collection protocol and assay methodology.

Functional medicine optimal

# REVIEWER FLAG: Confirm Sanesco optimal range designation.

Units

µg/g creatinine

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