Carnitine, Plasma
Use
Evaluation of patients with a clinical suspicion of a wide range of conditions including organic acidemias, fatty acid oxidation disorders, and primary carnitine deficiency using plasma specimens. Carnitine levels are disturbed in primary disorders of the carnitine cycle, or secondary disturbances of carnitine metabolism due to other biochemical disorders.
Special Instructions
Patient's age is required. Additional testing is required to distinguish between primary and secondary deficiencies of carnitine. Dietary intake (meat, carnitine supplementation) may cause increased carnitine values. If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Biochemical Genetics Test Request (T798) with the specimen.
Limitations
Increased values may be obtained after carnitine supplementation or meat consumption. Follow-up testing is required to differentiate primary and secondary carnitine deficiencies and to elucidate the exact cause. The test has not been cleared or approved by the US FDA.
New York Approved
Methodology
Mass Spectrometry (Flow Injection Analysis-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (FIA-MS/MS))
Biomarkers
LOINC Codes
- 97182-0
- 14288-5
- 14286-9
- 14282-8
- 30193-7
- 59462-2
Result Turnaround Time
3-5 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Plasma
Volume
0.5 mL
Minimum Volume
0.2 mL
Container
Plastic vial
Collection Instructions
Centrifuge and aliquot plasma into a plastic vial
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature | 7 days |
| Refrigerated | 21 days |
| Frozen | 60 days |