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:

8.5-10.5 mg/dl

Pediatric Reference Ranges:

Age             Male      Female    Units
Birth-30 days   8.5-10.6  8.4-10.6  mg/dl
31 days-1 year  8.7-10.5  8.9-10.5  mg/dl
1-6 years       8.8-10.6  8.5-10.5  mg/dl
7-12 years      8.7-10.3  8.5-10.3  mg/dl
13-15 years     8.5-10.2  8.4-10.0  mg/dl
16-18 years     8.4-10.3  8.6-9.8   mg/dl

Critical value: <6.0 mg/dl and >13.0 mg/dl

Test
Limitations:

Criterion: Recovery within plus or minus 10% of initial value.

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:

82310

See Additional Information:
Chemistry Critical Lab Values
Chemistry Pediatric Reference Ranges