clonidine suppression test

Last reviewed 01/2018

This may be used to confirm a diagnosis of phaeochromocytoma. Clonidine suppresses the release of adrenaline and noradrenaline from nerve-endings but not from tumour.

300 ug of clonidine is taken orally and plasma samples at 0, 1, 2 and 3 hours assayed for adrenaline and noradrenaline.