Test Code FCATB Carotene, Beta
Specimen Required
Patient Preparation:
1. Patient must be fasting overnight (12 hours). Blood should be collected before breakfast in the morning and prior to any medication.
2. Patient must not consume any alcohol for 24 hours before specimen collection.
3. For patients younger than six months, draw prior to their next feeding.
Supplies: Amber Frosted Tube, 5 mL (T915)
Collection Container/Tube:
Preferred: Serum gel
Acceptable: Red top
Submission Container/Tube: Amber vial
Specimen Volume: 0.7 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Draw blood in a serum gel tube or plain red-top tube.
2. Within 1 hour of collection, centrifuge and aliquot 0.7 mL of serum into an amber vial to protect from light.
3. Ship ambient
Secondary ID
75927Useful For
Confirming the diagnosis of carotenoderma
Detecting fat malabsorption
Depressed carotene levels may be found in cases of steatorrhea.
Method Name
High-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC)
Reporting Name
Carotene, BetaSpecimen Type
SerumSpecimen Minimum Volume
0.4 mL; Note: This volume does not allow for repeat testing.
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
---|---|---|---|
Serum | Ambient (preferred) | 14 days | LIGHT PROTECTED |
Frozen | 14 days | LIGHT PROTECTED | |
Refrigerated | 14 days | LIGHT PROTECTED |
Reject Due To
Hemolysis: | Reject |
Thawing: | Cold OK; Warm OK |
Specimen not protected from light Specimen other than serum |
Reject |
Reference Values
3-91 ug/dL
Interpretation
High levels are useful to rule out steatorrhea but lower values lack specificity. There is poor sensitivity. High levels are found in the serum of individuals ingesting large amounts of vegetables.
Day(s) Performed
Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Report Available
5 to 10 daysPerforming Laboratory
LabCorp BurlingtonCPT Code Information
82380
LOINC Code Information
Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
---|---|---|
FCATB | Carotene, Beta | 2053-7 |
Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
---|---|---|
FCATB | Carotene, Beta | 2053-7 |