5-Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid (5-HIAA), 24 Hours Urine Test
About 5-Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid (5-HIAA), 24 Hours Urine Test
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | 5-HIAA, HIAA, 5-Hydroxyindole Acetic Acid, Urinary 5-HIAA |
| Sample Type | 24-hour urine collection |
| Fasting Required | No fasting required, but strict dietary restrictions apply for 48 to 72 hours before and during collection |
| Report Time | 5 to 7 days |
| Recommended For | Adults and children of any gender; particularly those with symptoms suggesting carcinoid or neuroendocrine tumours |
| Price | Starting at ₹1,100 |
What Is a 5-Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid (5-HIAA), 24 Hours Urine Test?
The 5-HIAA test measures the amount of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in a 24-hour urine sample. 5-HIAA is the main breakdown product of serotonin, a chemical produced naturally by the body. By measuring 5-HIAA in urine, doctors can get an indirect picture of how much serotonin the body is making.
Also called the urinary 5-HIAA test or serotonin metabolite urine test, it is often ordered when a doctor suspects a carcinoid tumour or another type of neuroendocrine tumour. The test requires a full day of urine collection rather than a single sample.
What Does a 5-Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid (5-HIAA), 24 Hours Urine Test Measure?
The 24-hour urine 5-HIAA test analyses one key substance in your urine. The table below explains what is measured and why it matters.
| Parameter | What It Is | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 5-HIAA (5-Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid) | The primary breakdown product of serotonin, processed in the liver and excreted in urine | Elevated levels may indicate a serotonin-producing tumour; normal levels suggest typical serotonin metabolism |
As 5-HIAA reflects serotonin activity indirectly, the test gives clinicians a practical way to assess serotonin production without measuring serotonin itself, which is less stable in samples.
Why Is a 5-Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid (5-HIAA), 24 Hours Urine Test Done?
Doctors order this test when they need to investigate unexplained symptoms or monitor a known condition involving abnormal serotonin production.
Common Symptoms That May Require This Test
Several symptoms may prompt a doctor to request a 5-HIAA urine test. These include:
- Sudden flushing of the skin, often triggered by stress, certain foods, or alcohol
- Chronic or persistent diarrhoea
- Abdominal cramps without a clear cause
- Wheezing or difficulty breathing unrelated to asthma
- Rapid heartbeat (palpitations)
- Unexplained shortness of breath
Conditions This Test Can Help Detect
The 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid urine test may help identify a range of conditions. These include:
- Carcinoid tumours, particularly those arising in the small intestine, appendix, or ascending colon
- Carcinoid syndrome, a condition caused by metastatic neuroendocrine tumours that release serotonin into the bloodstream
- Coeliac disease and other malabsorption conditions such as tropical sprue, Whipple disease, and cystic fibrosis
- Intestinal neuroendocrine neoplasms
5-Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid (5-HIAA), 24 Hours Urine Test for Chronic Disease Monitoring
For patients already diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumours, the 24-hour urine 5-HIAA test plays an important role in tracking how well treatment is working. When 5-HIAA levels fall during treatment of a midgut carcinoid tumour, this may reflect a positive response. The test is typically repeated at regular intervals so the care team can observe trends over time.
How to Prepare and What to Expect
Getting the best results from this test depends on careful preparation. Below is what you need to know before your collection day.
Do You Need to Fast?
No fasting is required for this test. However, strict dietary restrictions apply and are just as important. You must avoid certain foods for 48 to 72 hours before and during the entire collection period, as these can raise 5-HIAA levels and produce misleading results.
Practical Tips Before Your Test
Following these steps will help ensure your sample is accurate:
- Avoid serotonin-rich foods such as bananas, pineapple, avocados, tomatoes and tomato products, plums, kiwi fruit, melons, eggplant, and all nuts (including walnuts, pecans, and butternuts) for 48 to 72 hours before and during collection
- Avoid tea, coffee, dark chocolate, and other caffeinated items for the same period
- Inform your doctor about all medications, supplements, and herbal remedies you take; some may need to be paused for at least 72 hours before the test
- Stay well hydrated throughout the collection day
Step-by-Step Procedure
The collection process is straightforward once you understand the steps. Here is what to do:
- On the morning of your collection day, pass urine as usual after waking up and discard this first sample. Note the exact time.
- From that point onwards, collect every urine sample for the next 24 hours into the container provided by the laboratory.
- Keep the container refrigerated throughout the collection period. The sample must remain cool at all times.
- Drink at least eight to 10 glasses of water during the 24-hour period to ensure an adequate sample volume.
- At exactly the same time the following morning, collect your final urine sample and add it to the container.
- Seal the container and return it promptly to the laboratory or hand it to the collection staff.
Factors That Can Affect Accuracy
Several factors may influence your results. These include:
- Eating high-serotonin foods before or during the collection
- Incomplete urine collection over the 24-hour period
- Certain medications, both prescription and over-the-counter
- Poor refrigeration of the sample during collection
- Kidney disease, which may cause falsely low readings
Understanding Your 5-Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid (5-HIAA), 24 Hours Urine Test Results
Your results should always be reviewed with your doctor, who will consider them alongside your symptoms, medical history, and any other tests. The table below shows commonly used reference ranges for the 5-HIAA test.
| Parameter | Normal Range | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| 5-HIAA, 24-hour urine | 2 to 9 | mg/24h |
| 5-HIAA, 24-hour urine | 10.4 to 46.8 | µmol/24h |
Note: Normal ranges can vary between laboratories. Values greater than 25 mg/24h may be considered strong evidence for a carcinoid tumour, particularly after dietary causes have been ruled out.
These ranges are general guidelines. Your doctor will interpret your results based on your age, health history, and other factors. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised medical advice.
Results During Special Conditions
Certain health conditions and medications can affect your 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid urine test results.
Patients with kidney disease may show falsely low 5-HIAA levels because impaired kidney function reduces the amount of 5-HIAA excreted in urine. Malabsorption conditions such as coeliac disease, tropical sprue, and Whipple disease are associated with raised 5-HIAA levels even without a tumour present.
Some medicines can increase measured 5-HIAA levels, including certain cough syrups containing glyceryl guaiacolate and medicines such as reserpine. Other medicines, including some antidepressants, certain blood pressure medications, and isoniazid, can decrease 5-HIAA readings. Always tell your doctor about every medicine you take before this test.
How to Maintain Healthy Levels
These general tips support accurate testing and overall wellbeing:
- Follow a balanced diet and limit foods with high serotonin content, especially in the days around your test
- Share a complete list of your medications, supplements, and herbal products with your doctor before every test
- If you are being monitored for a neuroendocrine tumour, attend your scheduled follow-up appointments and repeat tests as advised by your care team
Lupin Diagnostics 5-Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid (5-HIAA), 24 Hours Urine Test Price and Home Collection
The 5-HIAA test price at Lupin Diagnostics starts at approximately ₹1,100, and home sample collection is available across major cities in India.
| City | Approximate Price (₹) |
|---|---|
| Hyderabad | ₹1,100 |
| Mumbai | ₹1,100 |
| Chennai | ₹1,100 |
| Bangalore | ₹1,100 |
| Kolkata | ₹1,100 |
| Indore | ₹1,100 |
| Pune | ₹1,100 |
| Bhopal | ₹1,100 |
Prices are indicative and may vary by location. Please confirm the current price at the time of booking.
How to Book
Follow these steps to book your 24-hour urine 5-HIAA test near me through Lupin Diagnostics:
- Select the test on the Lupin Diagnostics website
- Choose your city and preferred time slot
- Opt for home sample collection by a certified phlebotomist, or visit your nearest Lupin Diagnostics centre
- Receive your report via email or WhatsApp within the stipulated turnaround time
Home Collection
Lupin Diagnostics offers home collection for the 5-HIAA urine test across cities in India, so you can carry out your 24-hour collection in the comfort of your home. All samples are processed in NABL-accredited laboratories by trained professionals. Once ready, your digital report is sent directly to you via email or WhatsApp.
Frequently Asked Questions
The 5-HIAA test is primarily used to detect carcinoid tumours in the digestive tract. These are a type of neuroendocrine tumour that can produce excess serotonin. The test is also used to monitor how well treatment is working in patients already diagnosed with such tumours.
Begin by discarding your first morning urine and noting the time. Collect all urine passed during the next 24 hours into the container provided, keeping it refrigerated throughout. At exactly the same time the following morning, add your final sample and return the container to the laboratory or collection staff.
Several foods can raise 5-HIAA levels and interfere with results. Avoid bananas, pineapple, tomatoes, avocados, plums, kiwi fruit, eggplant, walnuts, and other nuts for 48 to 72 hours before and during the collection period. Also avoid caffeinated drinks and dark chocolate during this time.
Yes, a number of medicines can raise or lower urinary 5-HIAA levels. These include some cough syrups, certain antidepressants, blood pressure medicines, and other prescription drugs. Always inform your doctor about everything you are taking so they can advise you appropriately before the test.
A significantly elevated result, once dietary and medication causes have been ruled out, may suggest the presence of a serotonin-producing tumour such as a carcinoid tumour. Your doctor will consider this result alongside your symptoms and other investigations before drawing any conclusions.
Yes, this is possible. Some carcinoid tumours do not produce serotonin, or they may produce it only intermittently. A normal 5-HIAA test result does not completely rule out a tumour. Your doctor may order additional tests if clinical suspicion remains.
The turnaround time for the 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid urine test is typically around 5 to 7 days, though this may vary depending on the laboratory processing the sample.
5-Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid (5-HIAA), 24 Hours Urine Test
