Determination of urinary total phenolic compounds with use of 4-aminoantipyrine: suggested screening test for hyperthyroidism and for catecholamine-producing tumor.

We describe a method for determining those urinary total phenolic compounds that are tyrosine analogs or metabolites, such as thyroxine and catecholamines. The urine sample, 4-aminoantipyrine in carbonate-bicarbonate buffer, and potassium ferricyanide solution are mixed and the quinoneimine dye that forms is measured at 500 nm. Some cases of hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus, nephrosis, obesity, hypertension, or catecholamine-producing tumor showed above-normal values, so that this determination seems useful as a screening test for these disorders.