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Test Code LAB93 Homocysteine, Total

Additional Codes

SQ : HOMOCY

COLLECTION

Green No Gel (Lithium Heparin)  PREFERRED
Light Green (Heparin Plasma Separator Tube)  PREFERRED
Red (No Additive)
SST (Serum Separator)

LAV (EDTA plasma)

 

Collection Information: 

Place tube on ice immediately after collection. Collect a Green lithium heparin tube (preferred). Also acceptable are a Serum (red) or EDTA (lavender) top tube.

 

Sample Volume Requirements: 

1 mL plasma or serum on ice.

 

Minimum Sample Volume: 

0.2 mL of plasma or serum (Approximately 0.5 mL of whole blood based upon a normal patient hematocrit)

Unacceptable Conditions: 

Whole blood samples not transported on ice.

Whole blood samples not separated from cells within one hour.

Grossly hemolyzed specimens.

REMARKS

Plasma or serum must be separated from cells within 1 hour of collection. Sample should be stored on ice while awaiting centrifugation. Specimens not placed on ice may exhibit a 10-20% increase in homocysteine concentration.

Do not use serum and plasma interchangeably from the same patient.

STABILITY

Refrigerated Stability: 

4 weeks

 

Frozen Stability: 

10 months

 

Ambient Stability: 

1 hour - on ice or 4 days separated from cells

PERFORMING LAB

Performed: 

Daily, 24 hours a day

 

Analytical Time: 

Same day

 

Testing Laboratory: 

Iowa Methodist Medical Center
Pathology Laboratory

 

Laboratory Section: 

Core Laboratory

CPT Code

83090