Urine melanin is a test to determine the abnormal presence of melanin in the urine.

Thormahlen's test; Melanin - urine

A clean-catch urine sample is needed.

No special preparation is needed.

The test involves only normal urination.

This test is used to diagnose melanoma, a type of skin cancer that produces melanin. If the cancer spreads (especially within the liver), the cancer may produce enough of this substance that it shows up in the urine.

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Urine sample

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Urine melanin Results

Review Date: 08/24/2009
Reviewed By: Frank A. Greco, M.D., Ph.D., Director, Biophysical Laboratory, The Lahey Clinic, Burlington, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)