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Specimen Collection Manual and Test Catalog

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ELECTROLYTES, WHOLE BLOOD

Geisinger Epic Procedure Code:  LAB2213    Geisinger Epic ID:  14216

SPECIMEN COLLECTION
Specimen type: 

Whole blood


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

1 mL whole blood; minimum 0.5 mL.


Special notes: 

Due to sample instability, this test may only be collected and analyzed at performing laboratory site.



SPECIMEN PROCESSING
Transport temperature: 

Room temperature. Do not refrigerate.


Specimen stability: 

Stable 1 hour at room temperature.


Rejection criteria: 

Stability limits exceeded.



TEST DETAILS
Reference interval: 

Sodium - whole blood: 135-146 mmol/L 
Potassium - whole blood: 3.5-5.1 mmol/L 
Chloride - whole blood: 98-107 mmol/L 
Bicarbonate 23-31 mmol/L 
Anion gap 7.0-15.0 mmol/L


Critical values/courtesy alerts: 
Sodium: Below 120, above 155 mmol/L
Potassium: Below 2.5, above 6.5 mmol/L

CPT code(s):  84132, 84295, 82435
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: 

Sodium - whole blood, potassium - whole blood, chloride - whole blood, bicarbonate, anion gap.


Methodology: 
Potentiometric
Synonyms: 

Lytes, LYTES, Electrolytes


Clinical significance: 

Electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride) levels are affected by how much is taken in through the diet, the level of hydration, and the amount of electrolytes excreted by the kidneys. They are also affected by compounds such as aldosterone, a hormone that conserves sodium and increases the loss of potassium and natriuretic peptides, which increase renal losses of sodium.


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

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