Home
HelpTest Code HMCY Homocysteine
Specimen Type
Whole Blood
Preferred Collection Container
PST-ICECollection Instructions
Place specimen on ice immediately after collection and prior to and after centrifugation. Serum may clot more slowly. Specimens not placed on ice immediately may exhibit a 10-20% increase in homocystein concentrations. Specimens maybe kept on ice up to 6 hours prior to centrifugation. After centrifugation, the original sample must stay on ice until arrival in testing department or sent in an aliquot container. Store and transport non centrifuged specimens on ice and centrifuged specimens at 2-8° C.Collection Volume
2 mL
Minimum Collection Volume
1 mL
Testing Volume
0.3 mL (300 ul)
Rejection Criteria
Specimen not immediately placed on ice and maintained on ice, specimens not centrifuged within 6 hours of collection; Lipemic specimens, Improperly labeled specimens
Specimen Storage and Stability
Place specimen on ice immediately after collection and prior to centrifugation. Separate red cells from plasma or serum by centrifugation within 6 hours. Specimen must remain on ice until aliquoted for testing. Specimens are stable stored at 2-8 C for up to 1 week.Day(s) and Time(s) Performed
Monday through Sunday, 24 hours
Alias
Homocysteine;
EPIC Code
LAB93
Acceptable Collection Container
LAV-ICE (EDTA); PST-ICE; SST-ICE
Additional Information
It is not recommended to use individual patient results from serum, heparinzed plasma and EDTA plasma interchangably. Varying amounts of Bilirubin,
Hemoglobin, Red Blood Cells, Triglycerides, Glutathione, Methionine, L-Cysteine, Pyruvate can interfere with the result <±10%.
Turn Around Time
3 Days
Lab Department
Chemistry