Plasma

Plasma Separator Tube 4.5 mL

Call laboratory for additional acceptable specimen collection containers.

3 mL whole blood from light green top tube or TWO Microtainer^® devices.

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

1 hour (upon receipt in laboratory)

Manufacturer's reference range:
  Adult male     30 - 400 ng/mL
  Adult female   13 - 150 ng/mL
See also: Am J Clin Path, 70: 79, 1978; Can Med Assoc J, 114: 417, 1976
Iron deficiency 0-20 ng/mL

This assay may be significantly impacted by high-dose biotin (>5 mg dose) taken within previous 12 hours. High concentrations of biotin may lead to falsely decreased results. These concentrations may be found in patients taking over-the-counter supplements with biotin content much higher than nutritional requirements for biotin. Specimens should not be collected until at least 12 hours after the last dose.

Refer to BD Microtainer^® Tubes product sheet for detailed sample collection instructions.

Please print, complete and submit the Advance Beneficiary Notice (ABN) along with the Laboratory Requisition before shipping the specimen.

The assay is unaffected by icterus (bilirubin is less than 65 
mg/dL), hemolysis (Hb is less than 500 mg/dL), lipemia  (Intralipid is 
less than 3300 mg/dL) and biotin is less than 50 ng/ml. (criterion: 
recovery within plus or minus 10% of initial value).

No interference was observed from rheumatoid factors up to a 
concentration of 2500 U/mL.

No high dose hook effect at ferritin concentrations of up to 100 000 
ng/mL.

In vitro tests were performed on 19 commonly used pharmaceuticals. No 
interference with the assay was found.

Iron2+- and iron3+-ions at therapeutic concentrations do not interfere 
in the Ferritin assay.

As with all tests containing monoclonal antibodies, erroneous findings 
may be obtained from samples taken from patients who have been treated 
with monoclonal mouse antibodies or who have received them for 
diagnostic purposes. Ferritin contains additives which minimize these 
effects.

In rare cases interference due to extremely high titers of antibodies 
to streptavidin and ruthenium can occur.

For diagnostic purposes, the Ferritin findings should always be 
assessed in conjunction with the patient's medical history, clinical 
examination and other findings.

Electrochemiluminescence Immunoassay

Separate the plasma from the cells ASAP.

Centrifuge at a speed and time necessary to get barrier separation of plasma/serum and cells within 1 hour of collection. Send specimen in original tube. Do Not transfer to another tube.
Each sample must be labeled with at least TWO full patient identifiers (First/Last Name & DOB are sufficient for non-UIHC affiliated clients) to avoid sample rejection/delays.

Refrigerate.
All sample storage requirements are intended for delivery to UIHC within 24 hours of collection for testing. If samples won't arrive in this time period, please call the UIHC Core Lab for alternative storage/shipping instructions (319-356-3527).

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

See Additional Information:
Biotin Interference with Immunoassays