Free Fatty Acids, Total, Serum
Use
This test is useful for evaluating the metabolic status of patients with endocrinopathies, monitoring diabetes mellitus control, and assessing the effects of therapeutic diet and lifestyle changes on free fatty acid levels. Elevated serum concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) are associated with cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, obesity, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. NEFA are causally linked with insulin resistance and inflammation of vascular endothelium.
Special Instructions
Patients must fast for 12 hours and must not consume any alcohol for 24 hours before specimen collection. Therapeutic heparin should not be administered to the patient. Serum specimens should be frozen immediately after collection to prevent the generation of free fatty acids from triglycerides.
Limitations
Patients receiving therapeutic heparin are unsuitable for this analysis. Proper handling, such as immediate freezing, is essential to prevent serum lipase activity from generating free fatty acids and causing erroneous elevation. Gross hemolysis, lipemia, and icterus are also causes for specimen rejection.
FDA ApprovedNew York Approved
Methodology
Automated Analyzer (Clinical Chemistry)
Biomarkers
LOINC Codes
- 15066-4
- 15066-4
Result Turnaround Time
1-3 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Serum
Volume
1 mL
Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Container
Plastic vial
Collection Instructions
Within 45 minutes of collection, centrifuge and aliquot 1 mL of serum into a plastic vial. Immediately freeze specimen.
Patient Preparation
Fasting: 12 hours required. Patient must not consume any alcohol for 24 hours before the specimen is collected. Patient should not be receiving therapeutic heparin.
Causes for Rejection
Gross hemolysis, gross lipemia, and gross icterus.
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Frozen | 7 days |