Sign in →

Test Code TBIL or LAB50 Bilirubin, Total, Serum or Plasma

Specimen Requirements

Container Type:

Optimal: Gold or Mint*

*For STAT requests

Acceptable: Red or Green

Optimal Collection Volume: 

4.5mL; full tube

Minimum Volume:
  • Adults: 1 mL whole blood
  • Neonates: 1 microtainer (400-600 uL)
Collection Instructions:

Gently invert the sample 5-6 times after collection.

Note: The specimen should be protected from light.

Specimen Transport:

Refrigerate

Processing Instructions: 

1. If serum, allow the specimen 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 the serum or plasma refrigerated until testing can be performed.

Specimen Stability

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Serum* Refrigerated 7 days
Room Temperature 1 day
Frozen 6 months

*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 N/A
Other Quantity not sufficient

Useful For

Evaluating a wide range of diseases affecting the production, uptake, storage, metabolism, or excretion of bilirubin; assessing liver function; monitoring the efficacy of neonatal Phototherapy.

Methodology

Roche Cobas - Spectrophotometric

Reference Ranges

Age Reference Range and Reporting Units
Adults and children (> 3 months) < 1.2 mg/dL
0 to 1 day 2.0-6.0 mg/dL
1 to 3 days 6.0-10.0 mg/dL
3 days to 1 month 4.0-8.0 mg/dL
1 month up to 3 months 0.0-1.2 mg/dL

Critical Value> 18 mg/dL for infants < 3 months old

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

82247

LOINC Code

1975-2