Red Blood Cell Membrane Evaluation, Blood
Use
The evaluation of the red blood cell membrane is crucial for investigating suspected red cell membrane disorders such as hereditary spherocytosis or hereditary pyropoikilocytosis. The test aids in diagnosing these conditions by analyzing the shape, deformability, and ion balance of red cells, which can be altered due to abnormalities in membrane proteins.
Special Instructions
Specimens must arrive within 72 hours of collection. Both patient and shipping control specimens are required. It is strongly recommended, although not required, to fill out the Metabolic Hematology Patient Information form and send it with the specimen for a more thorough interpretation of test results.
Limitations
The test is not useful for hereditary elliptocytosis. Conditions such as recent transfusion, use of oral contraceptives, and H2 blockers can interfere with test results. Other hemolytic disorders may yield positive osmotic fragility results. Eosin-5-maleimide binding results can be affected by reticulocytosis. Proper handling of the specimen is critical as temperature extremes can lead to false positives.
New York Approved
Methodology
Cell-based / Cytometry (Flow Cytometry)
Biomarkers
LOINC Codes
- 98905-3
- 98906-1
- 34964-7
- 23915-2
- 23918-6
- 23920-2
- 23921-0
- 59466-3
- 40431-9
- 50595-8
- 18771-6
- 59465-5
Result Turnaround Time
4-7 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Whole Blood
Volume
4 mL
Minimum Volume
2 mL
Container
Lavender top (EDTA)
Collection Instructions
Collect and label patient specimen. Refrigerate or place on cold gel pack immediately after collection. Send whole blood specimen in the original tube. Do not aliquot. Keep the shipping control and the patient specimens together, either rubber banded or in a bag.
Storage Instructions
Refrigerate
Causes for Rejection
Gross hemolysis, clotted samples
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Refrigerated | 72 hours |