43600:HOMOCYSTEINE, TOTAL, PLASMA

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43600:HOMOCYSTEINE, TOTAL, PLASMA
Methodology: Chemiluminescence (CL)
Edit Date: 4/18/2010
Performed: Daily
Released: Next day
CPT Code: 83090
Specimen Collection Details
Collection: One 4 mL lavender top tube (EDTA). Also acceptable: One 4 mL green top tube (heparin). Mix well and immediately place tube on ice.
Handling: Centrifuge and separate plasma from cells within one hour of collection. Refrigerate.
Stability: 1 hour ambient, 14 days refrigerated at 2-8 degrees C, or 3 months frozen.
Standard Volume: 1 mL plasma.
Minimum Volume: 0.5 mL plasma.
Transport: Refrigerated, or frozen on dry ice.
Comments: Because cells continue to produce and release homocysteine, plasma must be off cells within one hour of collection.
Rejection Criteria: Serum; hemolysis.

Reference Range:
Males <12 umol/L
Females <10 umol/L
Clinical Significance: Homocysteine, Total, Plasma: The risk of significant atherosclerosis involving cerebral, coronary and peripheral vascular disease increases progressively with increasing plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) levels. The relative risk for atherosclerotic vascular disease is 2.1 times greater for individuals with tHcy between 10 and 12 umol/L as compared to those with tHcy levels less than 10 umol/L.

PeaceHealth Laboratories