Test Code LAB490 Protein C Antigen, Plasma
Additional Codes
46370
Reporting Title
Protein C Ag
Methodology
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)
Please see the Coagulation Limitations under resources for effect of Anticoagulant drugs in this test.
Performing Laboratory
OhioHealth Laboratory Services-RMH Core Coagulation
Specimen Requirements
Riverside Inpatient or Riverside Campus draw sites:
Testing must be performed within 4 hours of draw if submitting unprocessed whole blood.
Draw 2 full, light blue-top (citrate) tube; and send citrated whole blood. Invert several times to mix blood. Forward unprocessed whole blood promptly at ambient temperature only. Do not refrigerate.
Note: 1. This assay requires its own specimen.
2. Gross hemolysis, icterus, and lipemia may affect results.
3. Indicate whole blood on request form.
4. Label specimen appropriately (whole blood).
Outpatient/Outreach Clients
Plasma
Draw 2 full, light blue-top (citrate) tube. Spin down, remove plasma, spin plasma again, and place 1 mL of citrated platelet-poor plasma into 2 plastic vials each containing 1.0 mL. (Glass vial is not acceptable.) Pour-off vials should be no more than 2/3 full. Send specimen frozen.
Note: 1. This assay requires its own specimen.
2. Double-centrifuged specimen is critical for accurate results as platelet contamination may cause spurious results.
3. If patient is being treated with Coumadin, this should be noted on request. Coumadin will lower Protein C.
Specimen Transport Temperature
Frozen/Refrigerate NO/Ambient NO
Reference Values
Adults: 60-125%
Normal, full-term newborn infants or healthy premature infants may have decreased levels of protein C antigen (15-50%), which may not reach adult levels until later in childhood or early adolescence.
Day(s) Test Set Up
Thursday
Test Classification and CPT Coding
85302
85302 (if appropriate)