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Test Code LYTE or LAB16 Electrolyte Panel, Serum or Plasma

Profile Information

Test ID Reporting Name Available Separately? Always Performed?
NA Sodium Y Y
K Potassium Y Y
CL Chloride Y Y
CO2 CO2 Y Y
AGAP Anion Gap N Y

Specimen Requirements

Container Type:

Optimal: Gold or Mint*

*For STAT requests

Acceptable: Red or Green
Optimal Collection Volume: 

4.5 mL; full tube
Specimen Minimum Volume:
  • Adults: 1 mL whole blood
  • Neonates: 1 microtainer (400-600 uL) and 1 capillary gas tube
Collection Instructions:

Gently invert sample 5-6 times after collection.
Specimen Transport:

Refrigerate
Processing Instructions: 

1. If serum, allow the sample to clot for 30 minutes.

2. Centrifuge specimen within 2 hours of collection.

3. After centrifugation, specimen tubes without a gel barrier should have the serum or plasma aliquoted to a false bottom container.

4. Keep serum/plasma refrigerated until testing can be performed.

Specimen Stability

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Serum* Room Temperature 40 hours
Refrigerated 7 days

*Note: Heparinized plasma in gel separator tubes is less stable than serum and is only suitable for add-on testing up to 2 days following sample collection.

Specimen Rejection Criteria

Hemolysis Mild OK; Moderate OK; Gross Reject
Lipemia Mild OK; Moderate OK; Gross Reject
Icterus Mild OK; Moderate OK; Gross Reject
Other Quantity not sufficient

Useful For

Assists in identifying causes for an electrolyte imbalance.

Methodology

  • Na, K, Cl - Potentiometric, indirect ion-selective electrode
  • CO2 - Spectrophotometric

Reference Ranges

 

Test ID Reference Range and Reporting Units
NA* 135-145 mmol/L
K* 3.5-5.3 mmol/L
CL 98-108 mmol/L
CO2 23-32 mmol/L
AGAP 7-16 mmol/L

 

* Please click the Bronson Critical Values link to view Critical Values

Day(s) Performed

24/7

Expected TAT

Same day

Performing Laboratory

Bronson Laboratory, Chemistry - Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, Paw Paw, South Haven

Sample Retention Time

7 days

CPT Code

80051

LOINC Code

  • NA: 2951-2
  • K: 2823-3
  • CL: 2075-0
  • CO2: 48391-7
  • AGAP: 1863-0

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