Home
HelpTest Code BAFS Bile Acids, Fractionated and Total, Serum
Reporting Name
Bile Acids, Fractionated and Tot, SPerforming Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
Useful For
Measuring tauro- and glycol-conjugated and unconjugated bile acid constituents in serum specimens
Monitoring patients receiving bile acid therapy, such as cholic acid, deoxycholic acid, or ursodeoxycholic acid
Aiding in the evaluation of liver function; evaluation of liver function changes before the formation of more advanced clinical signs of illness such as icterus
Determining hepatic dysfunction as a result of chemical and environmental injury
Indicating hepatic histological improvement in chronic hepatitis C patients responding to interferon treatment
Indicating intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy
This assay is not useful for the diagnosis of peroxisomal biogenesis disorders or inborn errors of bile acid metabolism.
Method Name
Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
Ordering Guidance
This test is useful in diagnosing intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy and does not support the assessment of either peroxisomal biogenesis disorders or inborn errors of bile acid metabolism.
For diagnostic testing for peroxisomal biogenesis disorders, order BAIPD / Bile Acids for Peroxisomal Disorders, Serum.
Specimen Required
Patient Preparation: Patient must be fasting for 12 to 14 hours.
Collection Container/Tube:
Preferred: Serum gel
Acceptable: Red top
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL
Collection Instructions: Centrifuge and aliquot serum into a plastic vial.
Specimen Type
SerumSpecimen Minimum Volume
0.3 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serum | Refrigerated (preferred) | 90 days | |
| Ambient | 90 days | ||
| Frozen | 90 days |
Reject Due To
| Gross hemolysis | OK |
| Gross lipemia | OK |
Reference Values
Total cholic acid: ≤5.00 nmol/mL
Total chenodeoxycholic acid: ≤6.00 nmol/mL
Total deoxycholic acid: ≤6.00 nmol/mL
Total ursodeoxycholic acid: ≤2.00 nmol/mL
Total bile acids: ≤19.00 nmol/mL
Interpretation
Total bile acids are metabolized in the liver and can serve as a marker for normal liver function. Increases in serum bile acids are seen in patients with acute hepatitis, chronic hepatitis, liver sclerosis, liver cancer, and intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Friday
Report Available
3 to 5 daysTest Classification
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.CPT Code Information
82542
LOINC Code Information
| Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| BAFS | Bile Acids, Fractionated and Tot, S | 43130-4 |
| Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| 35796 | Total Cholic acid | 30518-5 |
| 35797 | Total Chenodeoxycholic acid | 30519-3 |
| 35798 | Total Deoxycholic acid | 30520-1 |
| 35799 | Total Ursodeoxycholic acid | 55159-8 |
| 35800 | Total bile acids | 14628-2 |
Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Gastroenterology and Hepatology Test Request (T728) with the specimen.
Special Instructions
Testing Algorithm
For more information see Bile Acid-Associated Tests Ordering Guide