Specimen:

Plasma

Collection Medium:

Alternate
Collection Media:

Call laboratory for additional acceptable specimen collection 
containers.

Minimum:

2 mL whole blood from light green top tube or 1 light green microtube 
for pediatric patients

Testing
Schedule:

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

Analytic Time:

1 hour (upon receipt in laboratory)

Reference Range:

0.2-1.0 mg/dl

Critical value:  >10.0 mg/dl for first 24 hrs
                 >13.0 mg/dl for 1-30 days

Refer to: 
Bilirubin Nomogram for designation of risk for newborns.

Comments:

Protect micro-specimens from unnecessary exposure to light.

Test
Limitations:

Criterion: recovery plus or minus 0.4 mg/dl (6.8 umol/l) or 10% 
(whichever is greater) of initial values.

Plasma
Hemolysis: No significant interference up to an H index of 1000 
(approximate hemoglobin concentration: 1000 mg/dl).

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.

Indican: No significant interference from indican up to levels of
10 mg/dl.

Results from certain multiple myeloma patient samples may show a 
positive bias in recovery. Not all multiple myeloma patients show the 
bias and the severity of the bias may vary between patients.

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:

82247

See Additional Information:
Chemistry Critical Lab Values