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Specimen Collection Manual and Test Catalog

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LACTATE, WHOLE BLOOD

Geisinger Epic Procedure Code:  LAB2582    Geisinger Epic ID:  14366

SPECIMEN COLLECTION
Specimen type: 

Whole Blood


Preferred collection container: 
Alternate collection container: 
3 mL green/black top lithium heparin tube
Specimen required: 

1mL whole blood, minimum 0.4mL


Special notes: 

Due to specimen instability, this test may only be collected and analyzed at the performing laboratory location (see Performing Locations, below).



SPECIMEN PROCESSING
Transport temperature: 

Transport immediately. If delay in transport is anticipated, place specimen on an ice slurry. See note about specimen stability


Specimen stability: 

30 minutes at room temperature, 1 hour on an ice slurry.


Rejection criteria: 

Stability limits exceeded.



TEST DETAILS
Reference interval: 

0.4 - 2.0 mmol/L.


Critical values/courtesy alerts: 
Above 4 mmol/L.
CPT code(s):  83605
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: 

Whole blood lactate.


Methodology: 
Amperometric
Synonyms: 

Lactic Acid, Whole Blood, LACWB


Clinical significance: 

The common cause for increased blood lactate is anoxia resulting from such conditions as shock, pneumonia, and congestive heart failure. Lactic acidosis may also occur in renal failure and leukemia. Increased lactate may also be an early indicator of bacterial sepsis.


Doctoral Director(s): 
Hoi-Ying Elsie Yu, PhD, DABCC, FADLM
Sheng-Ying (Margaret) Lo, PhD, DABCC
Benjamin Andress, PhD, DABCC
Review Date:  01/14/2025

Performing Locations