Tacrolimus by Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Also known as: TACRO
Use
The test is used to optimize dosing of tacrolimus, a critical immunosuppressant drug, and monitor patient adherence in transplant recipients. Therapeutic drug monitoring is essential due to tacrolimus's narrow therapeutic range and variable pharmacokinetics, which necessitates personalized dosing to achieve desired therapeutic effects while minimizing toxicity. This test provides quantitative determination of tacrolimus concentration in whole blood, aiding in the management of kidney, heart, and liver transplant patients among others.
Special Instructions
Not provided.
Limitations
The therapeutic range provided is a guideline, and the optimal therapeutic range for an individual patient may differ based on the indication for therapy, treatment phase, use with other drugs, timing of specimen collection, type of transplanted organ, and therapeutic approach of the transplant center. The test has not been cleared or approved by the US FDA but is developed in a CLIA certified laboratory for clinical purposes.
New York Approved
Methodology
Mass Spectrometry
Biomarkers
Tacrolimus
Analyte
LOINC Codes
- 11253-2 - Tacrolimus Bld-mCnc
Result Turnaround Time
1-2 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Whole Blood
Volume
1 mL
Minimum Volume
0.25 mL
Container
Lavender (EDTA) or pink (K2EDTA)
Patient Preparation
Predose (trough) levels should be drawn.
Storage Instructions
Refrigerated.
Causes for Rejection
Serum or plasma. Specimens left at room temperature for longer than 24 hours. Clotted specimens.
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature | 24 hours |
| Refrigerated | 2 weeks |
| Frozen | 2 months |
Other tests from different labs that may be relevant