| Test Name: |
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Folate
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| Test Code(s): |
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FOL
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| CPT Code(s): |
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82746
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| Methodology: |
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Chemiluminescent Immunoassay
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| Days Performed: |
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Daily, 24 hours.
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| Turnaround Time: |
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Routine: 4 hours.
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Specimen Requirements
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| Specimen: |
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Blood
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| Collection Container: |
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Preferred: Green cap with yellow ring (PST)
Also Acceptable:
Green top,
Red cap with yellow ring (SST),
Red top
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| Collection Volume: |
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Preferred: 1 mL
Pediatrics: 0.5 mL
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| Sample Analyzed: |
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Serum or plasma
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| Volume Required: |
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Preferred: 0.5 mL
Pediatrics: 0.2 mL
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| Specimen Processing: |
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Centrifuge. Redraw specimen if hemolysis is present. Transfer cell-free sample to plastic vial. Refrigerate. If transport time exceeds 8 hours, freeze.
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| Specimen Transport: |
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Transport specimen to UWHC Core Laboratory (B4/220). Transport with coolant pack if coming from UWHC satellite lab location.
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| Outreach Specimen Transport: |
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If transport time is less than 8 hours, transport with coolant pack. If transport time exceeds 8 hours, transport frozen serum on dry ice.
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| Unacceptable Criteria: |
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Hemolyzed specimens are not acceptable.
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| Stability: |
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Refrigerated: 8 hours
Frozen: 1 month
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Interpretation
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Interpretive Guidelines:
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| 0.0 - 3.3 ng/mL |
Deficient |
| 3.4 - 5.3 ng/mL |
Intermediate |
| 5.4 - 40.0 ng/mL |
Normal |
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| Test Limitations: |
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Patients receiving therapy with certain pharmaceuticals, e.g. methotrexate or leucovorin, are contraindicated because of the cross-reactivity of folate binding protein with these compounds.
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