Test Code FFTEN Tetrahydrobiopterin and Neopterin Profile (BH4, N)
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 daysReporting Name
Tetrahydrobiopterin/NeopterinReference 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, LLCCPT Code Information
82542