Carcinoembryonic Antigen
Label Mnemonic: CEA
Epic code: LAB57
Order form: Laboratory Requisition
Supply order: Supply Order Form
Billing: Billing Policies
CPT code: 82378
Specimen(s):
Plasma
Collection Medium:
Plasma Separator Tube 4.5 mL
Alternate Collection Media:
Call laboratory for additional acceptable specimen collection containers.
Minimum:
3 mL light green top tube or TWO Microtainer® devices
Testing Schedule:
24 hrs/day, 7 days a week, including holidays.
Turn Around Time:
1 hour (upon receipt in laboratory)
Reference Range:
0.0 - 5.40 ng/mL
Comments:
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.
Test Limitations:
Specimens from patients who have received preparations of mouse monoclonal antibodies for diagnosis or therapy may contain human anti- mouse antibodies (HAMA). Such specimens may show either falsely elevated or depressed values. Elevations in circulating CEA levels may be observed in smokers as well as in patients with nonmalignant disease. For these reasons, a serum or plasma CEA level, regardless of value, should not be interpreted as absolute evidence for the presence or absence of malignant disease. The CEA level should be used in conjunction with information available from clinical evaluation and other diagnostic procedures.

Hemolysis: No significant interference up to an H index of 2200 (approximate hemoglobin concentration: 2200 mg/dL).

Lipemia: No significant interference up to an L index of 1500 (approximate triglycerides concentration: 3000 mg/dL). Note there is poor correlation between turbidity and triglyceride concentration.

Icterus: No significant interference up to an I index of 66 (approximate conjugated and unconjugated bilirubin concentration: 66 mg/dL).
Methodology:
Electrochemiluminescence Immunoassay
Sample Processing:
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.
Sample Storage:
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).
Transport Instructions:
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