Metformin Quantitative, Serum or Plasma
Also known as: METFORM SP
Use
This test is primarily used for evaluating metformin levels in patients to help determine if hypoglycemia is due to metformin exposure. It is useful in determining drug levels for therapeutic drug monitoring to correlate with hypoglycemia events.
Special Instructions
Serum or plasma is the preferred specimen for correlating drug use with hypoglycemia. Specimens must be separated from cells as soon as possible or within two hours of collection. Test is not performed at ARUP; separate specimens must be submitted when multiple tests are ordered.
Limitations
The test is not cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration and is performed by a non-ARUP laboratory. Results should be interpreted considering the test's limitations and in conjunction with clinical findings. Metformin-associated lactic acidosis is generally associated with plasma concentrations exceeding 5 mcg/mL, indicating the potential severity of high levels.
New York Approved
Methodology
Mass Spectrometry
Biomarkers
LOINC Codes
- 35698-0
Result Turnaround Time
8-11 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Serum
Volume
1 mL
Minimum Volume
0.3 mL
Container
ARUP Standard Transport Tube
Collection Instructions
Separate from cells ASAP or within 2 hours of collection.
Causes for Rejection
Separator tubes.
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature | 1 month |
| Refrigerated | 1 month |
| Frozen | 2 years |