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Specimen Collection Manual and Test Catalog

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HOMOCYSTEINE

Geisinger Epic Procedure Code:  LAB2493    Geisinger Epic ID:  19453

SPECIMEN COLLECTION
Specimen type: 

Serum or plasma


Preferred collection container: 
Alternate collection container: 
3 mL lavender-top (K2 EDTA) tube
4 mL green/green-top (sodium heparin) tube
Specimen required: 

1 mL serum or plasma; minimum 0.5 mL.



SPECIMEN PROCESSING
Processing instructions: 

Place the specimen in a refrigerator or ice bath for 30 minutes after collection. Centrifuge the specimen as soon as possible after complete clot formation has taken place. Centrifuge and aliquot.


Transport temperature: 

Refrigerated.


Specimen stability: 

Room temperature: 4 days, Refrigerated: 14 days, Frozen: 6 months.


Rejection criteria: 

Gross hemolysis • Unseparated serum or plasma • Whole blood specimens • Grossly lipemic.



TEST DETAILS
CPT code(s):  83090
Note: The billing party has sole responsibility for CPT coding.  Any questions regarding coding should be directed to the payer being billed.
The CPT codes provided by GML are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only.

Test includes: 

Homocysteine value.


Methodology: 
Enzymatic
Synonyms: 

Quest test code 31789, HOM, HCY


Clinical significance: 

An elevated concentration of homocysteine is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. When used in conjunction with methylmalonic acid (MMA), these tests are useful to diagnose and monitor vitamin B12 (cobalamin) and folic acid deficiency and are often useful in evaluating macrocytosis (an elevated MCV, an erythrocytic index).


Review Date:  12/19/2024

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