The clonidine suppression test is used to diagnose pheochromocytoma, a rare adrenal gland tumor that produces excessive amounts of catecholamines, such as epinephrine and
In those patients with a plasma norepinephrine of less than 2000 pg/mL, the clonidine suppression test is 92% accurate in diagnosing pheochromocytoma when the normal
Clonidine suppression testing aided diagnosis and led to definitive surgical treatment that confirmed a pheochromocytoma
Normally, a dose of Clonidine will suppress production of catecholamines (like norepinephrine) but if a catecholamine secreting tumor is present, Clonidine will fail