Specimen:

Plasma

Collection Medium:

Alternate
Collection Media:

Call laboratory for additional acceptable specimen collection 
containers.

Minimum:

2 ml whole blood in light green top tube or 1 microtube for pediatric 
patients

Testing
Schedule:

24 hrs/day, 7 days a week, including holidays.

Analytic Time:

2 hours (upon receipt in laboratory)

Reference Range:

Adult  6.0 - 8.0 g/dl

Pediatric Reference Ranges
                 Males         Females
Birth-31 days    4.1-6.3 g/dl  4.2-6.2  g/dl
1-6 months       4.7-6.7       4.4-6.6
6 months-1 year  5.5-7.0       5.6-7.9
1-18 years       5.7-8.0       5.7-8.0

Elevated Bilirubin interferes with current method.

Test
Limitations:

Criterion: Recovery within plus or minus 10% of initial values

Icterus: No significant interference up to an I index of 21 
corresponding to approximately 21 mg/dl of conjugated and unconjugated 
bilirubin.

Hemolysis: No significant interference up to an H index of 650 
(approximate hemoglobin concentration: 650 mg/dl). This interference 
results from the fact that hemoglobin is reacting as a protein in the 
Total Protein assay.

Lipemia (Intralipid): No significant interference up to an L index of 
1000 (approximate triglycerides concentration: 2000 mg/dl). There is 
poor correlation between turbidity and triglycerides concentration.

Dextran up to concentrations of 30 mg/ml does not interfere.

20 commonly used in vitro tested pharmaceuticals did not interfere with 
the assay.

Reference:
Glick MR, Ryder KW, Jackson SA. Graphical Comparisons of Interferences 
in Clinical Chemistry Instrumentation. Clin Chem 1986;32:470-474.

Methodology:

Spectrophotometric

Sample
Processing:

Centrifuge at 3000 RPM for 10 minutes.
Aliquot plasma into labeled container and cap.

Sample
Storage:

Refrigerate.

Transport
Instructions:

Place specimen into zip-lock type bag, seal bag.
Place requisition into outside pocket of bag.
Transport in cooler with refrigerated coolant packs.

CPT Code:

84155

See Additional Information:
Chemistry Pediatric Reference Ranges