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Test Code FFTEN Tetrahydrobiopterin and Neopterin Profile (BH4, N)

Important Note

CMH COLLECTION: Contact the lab for special CSF collection tubes.  If Neurotransmitter Metabolites, Tetrahydrobiopterin, or Neopterin are ordered, tests can be performed in those tubes.


Specimen Required


Medical Neurogenetics collection kit (T657) required.

Each collection kit contains 5 microcentrifuge tubes.

 

COLLECTION PROTOCOL:

1)     CSF should be collected from the first drop into the tubes in the  numbered order. Fill each tube to the marked line with the required volumes

Tube 1: 0.5 mL

Tube 2: 1.0 mL

Tube 3: 1.0 mL (contains antioxidants necessary to protect the sample integrity)

Tube 4: 1.0 mL

Tube 5: 1.0 mL

-       If sample's not blood contaminated, the tubes should be placed on dry ice at bedside

-       If sample's are blood contaminated, the tubes should immediately be centrifuged (prior to freezing) and the clear CSF transferred to new similarly labeled tubes, then frozen

-       Store samples at -80 until they can be shipped

2)     Complete Medical Neurogenetics, LLC request form. Include test required, sample date and date of birth.  

3)     Label tubes with patient name and ID number, leaving the tube number viewable.

4)     Place samples inside a specimen transport bag and the Medical Neurogenetics, LLC request form inside the pouch of the transport bag.

5)     Ship samples frozen on dry ice.


Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
CSF Frozen CSF KIT

Reject Due To

Specimens other than CSF in special collection kit (T657)
Anticoagulants other than NA
Hemolysis NA
Lipemia NA
Icteric NA

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Friday

Report Available

10 to 18 days

Reporting Name

Tetrahydrobiopterin/Neopterin

Reference Values

Tetrahydrobiopterin/Neopterin Profile

 

Age

BH4

Neop

(years)

(nmol/L)

(nmol/L)

0 – 0.2

40 – 105

7 – 65

0.2 – 0.5

23 – 98

7 – 65

0.5 – 2.0

18 – 58

7 – 65

2.0 – 5.0

18 – 50

7 – 65

5.0 – 10

9 – 40

7 – 40

10 – 15

9 – 32

8 – 33

Adults

10 – 30

8 - 28

 

Note: If test results are consistent with the clinical presentation, please call our laboratory to discuss the case and/or submit a second sample for confirmatory testing.

 

An important consideration for false positive for false negative results is the improper labeling of the patient sample.

Method Name

HPLC/Electrochemistry/Fluorescence

Performing Laboratory

Medical Neurogenetics, LLC

CPT Code Information

82542