Test Code LAB24 Valproic Acid, Plasma or Serum
Reporting Title
Valproic Acid
Methodology
Roche Diagnostics-RMH, GMC, DH, DMH, BH, OBH, MGH, MH
Used to monitor blood level of valproic acid, an anticonvulsant drug.
Performing Laboratory
OhioHealth Laboratory Services-RMH, GMC, DH, DMH, MGH, HMH, OBH, MH, BH Core Laboratories
Specimen Requirements
Collection Instructions:
1. Serum and Plasma gel tubes should be centrifuged within 2 hours of collection.
2. Red-top tubes should be centrifuged and aliquoted within 2 hours of collection.
Submit only 1 of the following specimens:
Preferred:
Serum
Draw blood in a gold-top serum gel tube(s) just prior to next oral dose. Spin down and send 1 mL of serum refrigerated.
Note:
1. Date and time of draw is required on request form and specimen for processing.
2. A speckled-top serum gel tube (s) or a plain, red-top tube(s) is also acceptable.
3. Indicate serum on request form.
4. Label specimen appropriately (serum).
Alternate: Preferred for Siemens Users
Plasma
Draw blood in a mint green-top (heparin) gel tube(s) just prior to next oral dose. Spin down and send 1 mL of heparinized plasma refrigerated.
Note: 1. Date and time of draw is required on request form and specimen for processing.
2. Indicate plasma on request form.
3. Label specimen appropriately (plasma).
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
---|---|---|
Serum or plasma | Refrigerated | 7 days capped |
Ambient | 2 days capped | |
Frozen | 3 months capped |
Specimen Transport Temperature
Refrigerate/Ambient OK/Frozen OK
Reference Values
Therapeutic concentration: 50-100 mcg/mL
Critical value >130 mcg/mL
Alerting category: Always called within 1 hour
Note: Blood levels may be increased with liver disease due to prolonged half-life, and decreased in children due to faster clearance.
Day(s) Test Set Up
Monday through Sunday; Continuously
Test Classification and CPT Coding
80164