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HelpEPIC ORDER 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