Home
HelpTest Code Epic LAB121 Serotonin, Serum
Additional Codes
SQ code SEROTM
Mayo code SER
Reporting Name
Serotonin, SSpecimen Type
SerumPerforming Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
Useful For
Evaluation of carcinoid syndrome
Additional Testing Requirements
First-line testing for the diagnosis of carcinoid tumors with symptoms suggestive of carcinoid syndrome consists of urinary serotonin (SERU / Serotonin, 24 Hour, Urine), urinary 5-HIAA (HIAA / 5-Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid, 24 Hour, Urine), and serum chromogranin A (CGAK / Chromogranin A, Serum).
Specimen Required
Patient Preparation:
1. Patients should not eat avocados, bananas, butternuts, cantaloupe, dates, eggplant, grapefruit, hickory nuts, honeydew melon, kiwifruit, melon, nuts, pecans, pineapple, plantains, plums, tomatoes, or walnuts, which are high in serotonin for 48 hours before and during collection.
2. Patient should discontinue medications that may elevate urine serotonin concentration including lithium, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, methyldopa, morphine, and reserpine. Patient should discontinue use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI eg, PROZAC), which can lead to depletion of platelet serotonin levels and result in false-negative serotonin results.
Supplies: Sarstedt Aliquot Tube, 5 mL (T914)
Collection Container/Tube:
Preferred: Red top
Acceptable: Serum gel
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 2.5 mL
Collection Instructions: Centrifuge as soon as blood has clotted and aliquot serum into plastic vial.
Specimen Minimum Volume
1.1 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serum | Refrigerated (preferred) | 21 days | |
| Frozen | 90 days | ||
| Ambient | 4 days |
Reference Values
≤230 ng/mL
Day(s) Performed
Monday, Wednesday, Friday
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
84260
LOINC Code Information
| Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| SER | Serotonin, S | 27057-9 |
| Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| 84395 | Serotonin, S | 27057-9 |
Reject Due To
| Gross hemolysis | OK |
| Gross lipemia | OK |
| Gross icterus | OK |
Method Name
Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
Method Description
Serotonin is separated from whole blood, serum, or urine using reversed, solid phase extraction (SPE) and then eluted with reagent. The eluate is analyzed using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry and quantified using a stable isotope-labeled internal standard, d4-serotonin.(Unpublished Mayo method)