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. Â
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