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Test Code NMH24 N-Methylhistamine, 24 Hour, Urine


Ordering Guidance


Random urine collections are preferred for patients with episodic symptoms, eg, in the context of allergic reactions, brought on by specific environmental factors; order NMHR / N-Methylhistamine, Random, Urine.

 

If the total volume provided is less than 300 mL, this test will be canceled and NMHR ordered and performed.



Necessary Information


Specimen volume (in milliliters) and duration are required.



Specimen Required


Patient Preparation: Patient must not be taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) or aminoguanidine as these medications increase N-methylhistamine (NMH) levels.

Supplies: Sarstedt Aliquot Tube, 5 mL (T914)

Container/Tube: Plastic, 5-mL tube

Specimen Volume: 5 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Collect urine for 24 hours.

2. No preservative.

3. Aliquot into plastic tube and send at refrigerate temperature.

Additional Information: See Urine Preservatives-Collection and Transportation for 24-Hour Urine Specimens for multiple collections.


Useful For

Screening for and monitoring of mastocytosis and disorders of systemic mast-cell activation, such as anaphylaxis and other forms of severe systemic allergic reactions using 24-hour urine collection specimens

 

Monitoring therapeutic progress in conditions that are associated with secondary, localized, low-grade persistent, mast-cell proliferation and activation such as interstitial cystitis

Profile Information

Test ID Reporting Name Available Separately Always Performed
NMH1D N-Methylhistamine, 24 Hr, U No Yes
CRT24 Creatinine, 24 HR, U No Yes

Method Name

NMH1D: Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)

CRT24: Enzymatic Colorimetric Assay

Reporting Name

N-Methylhistamine, 24 Hr, U

Specimen Type

Urine

Specimen Minimum Volume

1.75 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Urine Refrigerated (preferred) 28 days
  Frozen  28 days
  Ambient  14 days

Reject Due To

  All specimens will be evaluated at Mayo Clinic Laboratories for test suitability.

Clinical Information

N-methylhistamine (NMH) is the major metabolite of histamine, which is produced by mast cells. Increased histamine production is seen in conditions associated with increased mast-cell activity, such as allergic reactions, but also in mast-cell proliferation disorders, particularly mastocytosis.

 

Mastocytosis is a rare disease. Its most common form, urticarial pigmentosa (UP), affects the skin and is characterized by multiple persistent small reddish-brown lesions that result from infiltration of the skin by mast cells. Systemic mastocytosis is caused by the accumulation of mast cells in other tissues and can affect organs such as the liver, spleen, bone marrow, and small intestine. The mast-cell proliferation in systemic mastocytosis can be either benign or malignant. In children, benign systemic mastocytosis tends to resolve over time, while in most adults, the disease is progressive. Systemic mastocytosis may or may not be accompanied by UP.(1,2) Patients with UP or systemic mastocytosis can have symptoms ranging from itching, gastrointestinal distress, bone pain, and headaches; to flushing and anaphylactic shock.

 

Definitive diagnosis of systemic mastocytosis is made by bone marrow biopsy; however, patients with systemic mastocytosis also usually exhibit elevated levels of NMH.(1-5) Other biochemical markers include 11-beta prostaglandin F2 alpha, a metabolite of prostaglandin D2 (23BPT / 2,3-Dinor 11 Beta-Prostaglandin F2 Alpha, 24 Hour, Urine) and tryptase, alpha or beta (TRYPT / Tryptase, Serum). Histamine in blood or urine is also sometimes measured, but it generally has less diagnostic value than NMH measurement in urine, particularly if measurements in blood are not undertaken during a spell.

Reference Values

N-METHYLHISTAMINE

0-5 years: 120-510 mcg/g creatinine

6-16 years: 70-330 mcg/g creatinine

>16 years: 30-200 mcg/g creatinine

 

CREATININE

Males: 930-2955 mg/24 hours

Females: 603-1783 mg/24 hours

Reference values have not been established for patients who are younger than 18 years.

Interpretation

Increased concentrations of urinary N-methylhistamine (NMH) are consistent with urticaria pigmentosa (UP), systemic mastocytosis, or mast-cell activation. Because of its longer half-life, urinary NMH measurements have superior sensitivity and specificity than histamine, the parent compound. However, not all patients with systemic mastocytosis or anaphylaxis will exhibit concentrations outside the reference range and healthy individuals may occasionally exhibit values just above the upper limit of normal.

 

The extent of the observed increase in urinary NMH excretion is correlated with the magnitude of mast-cell proliferation and activation, UP patients, or patients with other localized mast-cell proliferation and activation, show usually only mild elevations, while systemic mastocytosis and anaphylaxis tend to be associated with more significant rises in NMH excretion (2-fold or more). There is, however, significant overlap in values between UP and systemic mastocytosis, and urinary NMH measurements should not be relied upon alone in distinguishing localized from systemic disease.

 

Up to 25% variability in random urine excreted levels may be observed, making 24-hour urine collections preferable for cases with borderline results.

 

Children have higher NMH levels than adults. By the age of 16 years, adult levels have been reached.

Cautions

While an average North American diet has no effect on urinary N-methylhistamine (NMH) levels, mild elevations (around 30%) may be observed on very histamine-rich diets. This problem is more pronounced if random urine specimens are used and collected following a histamine-rich meal.

 

NMH levels may be depressed in individuals who have an alteration in the histamine-N-methyltransferase gene (HNMT), which encodes the enzyme that catalyzes NMH formation. This alteration results in an amino acid change that decreases the rate of NMH synthesis.

 

When N-acetylcysteine is administered at levels sufficient to act as an antidote for the treatment of acetaminophen overdose, it may lead to falsely decreased creatinine results.

Method Description

N-methylhistamine (NMH) is removed from urine using solid phase extraction. The eluate is analyzed using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry and quantified using a stable isotope labeled internal standard, d[3]-NMH. NMH and d[3]-NMH are detected in multiple reaction monitoring mode using the specific transitions for m/z 126 to m/z 109, and m/z 129 to m/z 112, respectively.(Unpublished Mayo method)

 

Creatinine:

The enzymatic method is based on the determination of sarcosine from creatinine with the aid of creatininase, creatinase, and sarcosine oxidase. The liberated hydrogen peroxide is measured via a modified Trinder reaction using a colorimetric indicator. Optimization of the buffer system and the colorimetric indicator enables the creatinine concentration to be quantified both precisely and specifically.(Package insert: Creatinine plus ver 2. Roche Diagnostics; V15.0, 03/2019)

Day(s) Performed

Monday, Wednesday, Friday

Report Available

3 to 7 days

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Test Classification

This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

CPT Code Information

82542

LOINC Code Information

Test ID Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
NMH24 N-Methylhistamine, 24 Hr, U 44340-8

 

Result ID Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
CR_A Creatinine, 24 HR, U 2162-6
605159 N-Methylhistamine, 24 Hr 44340-8
TM27 Collection Duration (h) 13362-9
VL69 Urine Volume (mL) 3167-4
CR_24 Creatinine Concentration, 24 HR, U 20624-3