Epinephrine, Plasma Unit Converter

Epinephrine (also called adrenaline) is one of three catecholamine hormones measured in plasma, along with norepinephrine and dopamine. It is best known for driving the body's "fight-or-flight" response to stress or danger.

A plasma epinephrine test measures the concentration of this hormone circulating in the blood at the time of the draw. Because epinephrine is released in bursts and cleared rapidly, plasma levels reflect short-term adrenal activity rather than long-term production.

The test is most often ordered as part of a fractionated plasma catecholamines panel when a catecholamine-secreting tumor such as pheochromocytoma or paraganglioma is suspected.

Epinephrine is produced almost exclusively by the chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla, the inner portion of the adrenal glands that sit on top of each kidney. Small amounts are also released by certain neurons in the central nervous system.