Free Fatty Acids, Plasma

Diagnostic Use

Elevated serum concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) are associated with cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, obesity, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. NEFA are causally linked with insulin resistance and inflammation of vascular endothelium.

Abnormally high levels of free fatty acids are associated with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus and with conditions that involve excessive release of a lipoactive hormone such as epinephrine, norepinephrine, glucagon, thyrotropin, and adrenocorticotropin.

Department

Lipids/Trace Metals

Delphic Registration Code

FFA

Laboratory Handling

Phlebotomy

Specimens must be collected on ice and the plasma separated from the red cells within 30 minute of collection and immediately frozen. Fasting specimen preferred.

Separating

Specimens must be collected on ice and the plasma separated from the red cells within 30 minute of collection and immediately frozen.

Laboratory

Transport frozen

Synonyms

Fatty Acids - free
Fatty Acids - non esterified
FFA
NEFA
Non-Esterified Fatty Acids

Turnaround Time

1 week

Test Code

4289

Specimen Type

• Plasma

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• EDTA (Lavender Cap)

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

5

No of Samples Required

1

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• EDTA (Lavender Cap)

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

1

Minimum Sample Volume (ml)

1

Interferences

Patients receiving therapeutic heparin are unsuitable for this analysis. Heparin causes the release of free fatty acids by stimulating the activity of lipoprotein lipase, which causes triglycerides associated with blood lipoproteins to release free fatty acids.

Additional Specimen Information

Fasting sample preferred
Specimens must be collected on ice and the plasma separated from the red cells within 30 minute of collection and immediately frozen.

EDTA anti-coagulated blood collected on ice is the preferred sample - delays in the processing of the sample leads to an increase in free fatty acid levels due to lipolysis of the triglycerides by lipase. If serum is used the clotting of the sample is delayed and lipolysis occurs leading to higher free fatty acid levels. haemolysed samples are also unacceptable

Aliquot Instructions

Sample Type

• Plasma

Minimum Volume (ml)

0.25

Transport to Lab

Frozen
If overnight - Frozen

Additional Referral/Aliquot Information

1 mL plasma store frozen.Minimum 250 uL plasma. Haemolysed samples unacceptable.

Interpretation

Patients receiving therapeutic heparin are unsuitable for this analysis. Heparin causes the release of free fatty acids by stimulating the activity of lipoprotein lipase, which causes triglycerides associated with blood lipoproteins to release free fatty acids.

In order to eliminate the generation of free fatty acids from triglycerides by serum lipases (causing erroneous elevations), serum should be frozen as soon as possible after it is collected and shipped frozen.

Reference Intervals

<0.6 mEq/L

Test Method

Enzymatic determination.acyl-CoA synthatase substrate.

Non-Funded Test Cost

$66.32 (Exclusive of GST)

Billing Code

4289

Contact Information

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