Bile Acids, Fractionated and Total, Serum
Use
This test measures tauro- and glycol-conjugated and unconjugated bile acid constituents in serum specimens. It is useful for monitoring patients receiving bile acid therapy, such as cholic acid, deoxycholic acid, or ursodeoxycholic acid. It aids in the evaluation of liver function, assessing changes before more advanced clinical signs like icterus appear. It helps determine hepatic dysfunction due to chemical and environmental injury and can indicate hepatic histological improvement in chronic hepatitis C patients responding to interferon treatment. The test is also valuable in diagnosing intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.
Special Instructions
A fasting period of 12 to 14 hours is required. The preferred collection container is a serum gel tube, but a red top tube is also acceptable. Centrifuge and aliquot serum into a plastic vial for submission.
Limitations
This assay is not useful for diagnosing peroxisomal biogenesis disorders or inborn errors of bile acid metabolism. The test does not measure sulfated bile acids.
New York Approved
Methodology
Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
Biomarkers
LOINC Codes
- 43130-4
- 30518-5
- 30519-3
- 30520-1
- 55159-8
- 14628-2
Result Turnaround Time
3-5 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Serum
Volume
0.5 mL
Minimum Volume
0.3 mL
Container
Serum gel or red top tube, submitted in a plastic vial.
Collection Instructions
Centrifuge and aliquot serum into a plastic vial.
Patient Preparation
Fasting: 12 to 14 hours, required.
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature | 90 days |
| Refrigerated | 90 days |
| Frozen | 90 days |