Salicylate, Serum

Casandra

Casandra Test Code LC72186Version 1 (DRAFT)

Performing Lab

Lab LabcorpLab Test ID 007849CPT Code 80179

Also known as: Acetylsalicylic Acid, Blood, Aspirin, Blood

Clinical Use

Order Test

Use

The Salicylate test is used to monitor salicylate (aspirin) levels in the blood as part of treatment management or in cases of suspected toxicity. Therapeutic monitoring is crucial for individuals undergoing anti-inflammatory therapy or with conditions involving salicylate overdose or poisoning. As salicylates are primarily used in anti-inflammatory therapies, routine monitoring helps ensure therapeutic levels are achieved, avoiding sub-therapeutic doses or toxic accumulation.

Special Instructions

Optimal sampling time after dosage is two to six hours. Serum half-life varies based on dosage, affecting resampling times. For therapeutic management, resampling after dosage changes should be scheduled six hours later for accurate assessment. Use of antacids might increase renal excretion and lower serum levels.

Limitations

The Done nomogram is used for estimating blood levels and prognosis following a single-dose ingestion, though it is not applicable in cases of accumulation over time or chronic use. Measuring glucose in cases with levels above 250 μg/mL is advised. Accurate steady-state concentrations are difficult to predict solely from standard dose schedules, particularly in cases of poisoning where symptoms like alkalosis, acidosis, and ketosis may occur. Potential interference arises from factors like renal excretion and specimen conditions, e.g., gel-barrier tubes which may absorb the drug.

Test Details