Vitamin B12
Order Code: B12
Order Form: Laboratory Requisition
Specimen:
Plasma
Collection Medium:
Plasma Separator Tube
Alternate Collection Media:
Call laboratory for additional acceptable specimen collection containers.
Minimum:
3 mL whole blood in light green top tube or TWO microtainers.
Testing Schedule:
24 hrs/day, 7 days a week, including holidays.
Turn Around Time:
1 hour (upon receipt in laboratory)
Reference Range:
Normal: 243 - 894 pg/mL Indeterminant: 175-242 pg/mL Deficient: is less than 175 pg/mL
Comments:
Please print, complete and submit the Advance Beneficiary Notice (ABN) along with the Laboratory Requisition before shipping the specimen. New analytical immunoassay with different reference ranges instituted 4/24/00 at 1000.
Test Limitations:
The assay is unaffected by icterus (bilirubin is less than 65 mg/dL), hemolysis (Hb is less than 1.0 g/dL), lipemia (triglycerides is less than 1500 mg/dL) and biotin is less than 50 ng/mL. (criterion: recovery within plus or minus 10% of initial value). In patients receiving therapy with high biotin doses (i.e. is greater than 5 mg/day) no sample should be taken until at least 8 hours after the last biotin administration. No interference was observed from rheumatoid factors up to a concentration of 1500 U/mL. In vitro tests were performed on 54 commonly used pharmaceuticals. No interference with the assay was found. In rare cases interference due to extremely high titers of antibodies to streptavidin and ruthenium can occur. For diagnostic purposes, the vitamin B12 findings should always be assessed in conjunction with the patient's medical history, clinical examination and other findings.
Methodology:
Electrochemiluminescence Immunoassay
Sample Processing:
Centrifuge at 3000 RPM for 10 minutes.
Aliquot plasma into labeled container and cap.
Sample Storage:
Refrigerate up to 24 hours.
Protect specimen from light.
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:
82607