Specimen Requirements
Title
Homocysteine
Specimen Requirement
1-SST/1mL serum. Place specimen in the refrigerator for 30 minutes after collection. Centrifuge the specimen as soon as possitle after complete clot formation, ensuring that the barrier gel completely separates serum from cells.
Methodology
Stability
Room Temp 4 days; Refrigerated 14 days
Reference Range
By Report*
Turnaround
1 day
Clinical Use
Evaluate homocystinuria. Predictor of risk for ischemic stroke and myocardial infarction. Homocystine is elevated in patients with cobalamin and/or folate deficiency, and is more sensitive than serum cobalamin and serum folate concentrations in diagnosing these vitamin deficiencies.
Test Code
HOMSP