Lactate/Pyruvate, Filtrate
Use
This test measures lactic acid, pyruvic acid, and the lactate/pyruvate ratio in a protein‑free filtrate of whole blood, providing critical insight into metabolic and mitochondrial disorders. An elevated lactate-to-pyruvate (L:P) ratio may indicate possible inborn errors of metabolism or impaired cellular respiration, especially in the context of lactic acidosis.
Special Instructions
Whole blood must be drawn from a fasting patient into a sodium fluoride (gray‑top) tube, immediately mixed with ice‑cold perchloric acid, kept cold, and prepared as a protein‑free filtrate before submission.
Limitations
This test has not been cleared or approved by the FDA; validation was performed under CLIA regulations. Analytical performance characteristics have been determined by Quest Diagnostics but are not FDA‑approved.
Methodology
Other
Biomarkers
Result Turnaround Time
1 day
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Whole Blood
Volume
4 mL
Minimum Volume
1 mL
Container
sodium fluoride (gray‑top) tube
Collection Instructions
Drawn from fasting patient without use of tourniquet and immediately mixed with 4 mL ice‑cold 7% (w/v) Perchloric Acid. Let mixture stand for 10 minutes and centrifuge. Submit supernatant fluid for assay.
Patient Preparation
Fasting sample required
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature | 3 hours |
| Refrigerated | 48 hours |
| Frozen | 30 days |