The University of Iowa (UIHC)
Department of Pathology
LABORATORY SERVICES HANDBOOK


Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase Mutation Detection (Thermolabile Form) (C677T & A1298C)
Order Code: MTHFR
Order Form: A-1a Miscellaneous Request or IPR Req
  Commercial "Mail-out" Laboratory
6240 RCP
356-3527
Specimen
Whole Blood
Collection Medium:
Pink top tube (EDTA sprayed)
Alternate
Collection Media:
Yellow top tube (ACD solution A), Light Blue top tube (Na Citrate), 
Light Green top tube (Lithium Heparin), Green top tube (Na Heparin)
Minimum:
Adult preferred minimum:  One 6 mL pink top tube
Adult absolute minimum: 5 mL
Pediatric minimum:  1 mL
Rejection Criteria:
Serum, plasma, frozen whole blood, clotted blood, and severely 
hemolyzed specimens.
Analytic Time:
2 weeks
Reference Range:
Negative: This sample is negative for MTHFR C677T and A1298C mutations.
Interpretive Data:
Background Information for Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (MTHFR):

Characteristics: Elevated plasma homocysteine levels and premature 
cardiovascular disease.

Incidence: US allele frequency of C677T = 0.39 and A1298C = 0.17; 
homozygosity for C677T is 1-15%.

Inheritance: Autosomal recessive.

Cause: Homozygosity for MTHFR gene mutation C677T or compound 
heterozygosity for C677T/A1298C.

Mutations Tested: c.677C>T and c.1298A>C.

Clinical Sensitivity: Undefined. Sensitivity is dependent upon multiple 
contributing factors.

Analytical Sensitivity & Specificity: 99%
Comments:
Please print, complete and submit the following form to the lab, with 
the specimen and the A-1a Miscellaneous Request:
Patient History For Molecular Genetic Testing from ARUP 
Laboratories.

NOTE:  This testing is not valid for methotrexate sensitivity.
Test
Limitations:
Only the two MTHFR gene mutations targeted (C677T and A1298C) will be 
detected; analytical sensitivity may be affected by rare primer site 
mutations.
Methodology:
Polymerase Chain Reaction/Fluorescence Monitoring
CPT Code:
83890, 83900, 83896(x4), 83912; additional CPT code modifiers may be 
required for procedures performed to test for oncologic or inherited 
disorders.

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Updated: 01/23/2008

Note: The information contained in this handbook is for use by personnel of University of Iowa Health Care. No other use is implied or intended.