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Test Code FCATB; SQ: CAROTE Carotene, Beta


Specimen Required


Patient Preparation:

1. Fasting: 12 hours, required

 a. Blood should be collected before breakfast in the morning and prior to receiving any medication

 b. Infants younger than 6 months, collect specimen before next feeding.

2. Patient must not consume any alcohol for 24 hours before specimen collection.

Supplies: Amber Frosted Tube, 5 mL (T915)

Collection Container/Tube:

Preferred: Serum gel

Acceptable: Red top

Submission Container/Tube: Amber vial

Specimen Volume: 0.7 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Within 1 hour of collection, centrifuge and aliquot 0.7 mL of serum into an amber vial to protect from light.

2. Ship ambient.


Secondary ID

75927

Useful For

Confirming the diagnosis of carotenoderma

 

Detecting fat malabsorption

Method Name

High-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC)

Reporting Name

Carotene, Beta

Specimen Type

Serum

Specimen Minimum Volume

0.4 mL
Note: This volume does not allow for repeat testing.

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Serum Ambient (preferred) 14 days LIGHT PROTECTED
  Frozen  14 days LIGHT PROTECTED
  Refrigerated  14 days LIGHT PROTECTED

Reject Due To

Hemolysis Reject
Specimen not protected from light Reject
Specimen other than serum Reject

Reference Values

3-91 ug/dL

Interpretation

Depressed carotene levels may be found in cases of steatorrhea.

Day(s) Performed

Monday, Wednesday, Friday

Performing Laboratory

LabCorp Burlington

CPT Code Information

82380

LOINC Code Information

Test ID Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
FCATB Carotene, Beta 2053-7

 

Result ID Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
FCATB Carotene, Beta 2053-7

Clinical Information

Vitamin A serum levels do not correlate well with liver stores. Carotenemia may be confused with jaundice. It is also reported high with some cases of diabetes mellitus, myxedema, chronic nephritis, nephrotic syndrome,(1,2) liver disease, hypothyroidism, type I, IIA, and IIB hyperlipoproteinemia, and in a group of amenorrheic hypogonadotropic women.(1) An inverse relationship between serum beta-carotene and the risk of bronchogenic squamous cell carcinoma is reported.(3) The highest carotene levels are found in the serum of faddists ingesting large amounts of vegetables.(4) Oral leukoplakia responds well to beta-carotene therapy.(5) Low beta-carotene levels are associated with oral contraceptives and smoking.(6)