Specimen:
Collect
- One Lavender (EDTA)
Also Acceptable:
- One Green Top (Li Heparin)
- One Pink Top (EDTA)
- One Red Top
- One SST
Submit
- 0.5 mL (Min:0.3 mL) Plasma . Submit Refrigerated. Submit in a Standard Transport Tube.
Also Acceptable:
- 0.5 mL (Min:0.3 mL) Serum . Submit Refrigerated. Submit in a Standard Transport Tube.
Special Handling
- Allow specimen to clot completely ON ICE.
- Avoid repeated freeze and thaw cycles.
- Store specimen on ice between collecting and centrifugation. Samples may be kept on ice for up to 6 hours prior to separation by centrifugation.
Avoid air exposure longer than 3 hours.
**Due to instability of specimen, homocysteine cannot be added to previously drawn specimens**
Rejection Criteria
- Grossly Hemolyzed Samples
- Heat inactivated
- Lipemic Samples
- Microbial Contamination
- Specimen submitted at room temperature
- Specimens containing particulate matter (Fibrin, RBC, or other matter)
Stability
Ambient: Unacceptable; Refrigerated: 2 Week(s); Frozen: 8 Month(s); Incubated: Unacceptable
Methodology
- Enzymatic Conversion
- Reduction
Performed
Sunday, Mon-Fri
Reported
1-3 Day(s)
CPT Codes
- 83090
Interpretive Data
General Reference Range : 5-20 umol/L
Male Reference Ranges
Female Reference Ranges
Specimens from patients who are on drug therapy involving S-adenosyl-methionine may show falsely elevated levels of homocysteine. Patients who are taking methotrexate, carbamazepine, phenytoin, nitrous oxide, anticonvulsants, or 6-azauride triacetate may have elevated levels of homocysteine due to their affect on the pathway.
Male Reference Ranges
- 0 - 60 year(s) : 5-15 umol/L
- 60 - 150 year(s) : 5-20 umol/L
Female Reference Ranges
- 0 - 60 year(s) : 5-15 umol/L
- 60 - 150 year(s) : 5-20 umol/L
Specimens from patients who are on drug therapy involving S-adenosyl-methionine may show falsely elevated levels of homocysteine. Patients who are taking methotrexate, carbamazepine, phenytoin, nitrous oxide, anticonvulsants, or 6-azauride triacetate may have elevated levels of homocysteine due to their affect on the pathway.
Components
- 2224 - HOMOCYSTEINE
Last Updated: April 30, 2025 @ 9:13 am
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