Carnitine, Plasma

Department

Specialist Biochemistry

Delphic Registration Code

PCAR

Laboratory Handling

Laboratory

Gross haemolysis OK, gross lipemia OK, gross icterus OK

Test Adds

Ambient 7 days, refrigerated 21 days, frozen (preferred) 60 days

Synonyms

Carnitine (free)

Turnaround Time

4 weeks

Test Code

3350

Specimen Type

• Serum
• Plasma

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• Serum (Red Cap)

Preferred if West Coast

• SST II (Gold Cap)

Acceptable

• SST II (Gold Cap)
• Lithium Heparin - Non-gel (Green Cap)
• Lithium Heparin - Gel (Light Green Cap)

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

5.0

No of Samples Required

1

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• Serum (Red Cap)

Acceptable

• SST II (Gold Cap)
• Lithium Heparin - Non-gel (Green Cap)
• Lithium Heparin - Gel (Light Green Cap)

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

0.2

Aliquot Instructions

Sample Type

• Serum

Minimum Volume (ml)

0.5

Transport to Lab

Frozen
If overnight - Frozen

Reference Intervals

Plasma free 23-60 umol/L adults

Test Method

HPLC/Tandem Mass spectrometry

Non-Funded Test Cost

$165.73 (Exclusive of GST)

Billing Code

3357

Free carnitine ONLY reported from March 2021 for children being monitored on ketogenic diets.

To aid detection of inborn errors of metabolism PLEASE REQUEST AN ACYLCARNITINE PROFILE - and send dried whole blood spotted onto a Guthrie card. DO NOT PLACE SAMPLE IN A PLASTIC BAG but in a paper envelop

LABORATORIES - PLEASE PHONE DOCTOR TO CHECK WHETHER ACYLCARNITINE PROFILE IS THE TEST ACTUALLY REQUIRED

Contact Information

Enquiry Form