Test Code LAB24 Valproic Acid, Plasma or Serum
Reporting Title
Valproic Acid
Methodology
Roche Diagnostics-RMH, GMC, DH, DMH, BH, OBH, MGH, MH, SMC, VWH
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, SMC and VWH 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 VWH Lab
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).
Roche 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