Home
HelpTest Code Billings Clinic: 0230 Mayo: TPBF Protein, Total, Body Fluid
Reporting Name
Protein, Total, BFPerforming Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
Useful For
Identification of exudative pleural effusions
Differentiating hepatic from other causes of ascites that have elevated serum ascites albumin gradient using peritoneal fluid
Method Name
Colorimetric
Ordering Guidance
For protein measurement in spinal fluid specimens, order TPSF / Protein, Total, Spinal Fluid. Testing will be changed to TPSF if this test is ordered on that specimen type.
Necessary Information
1. Date and time of collection are required.
2. Specimen source is required.
Specimen Required
Specimen Type: Body fluid
Preferred Source:
-Peritoneal fluid (peritoneal, abdominal, ascites, paracentesis)
-Pleural fluid (pleural, chest, thoracentesis)
-Drain fluid (drainage, JP drain)
-Pericardial
Acceptable Source: Write in source name with source location (if appropriate)
Collection Container/Tube: Sterile container
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 1 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Centrifuge to remove any cellular material and transfer into a plastic vial.
2. Indicate the specimen source and source location on label.
Specimen Type
Body FluidSpecimen Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body Fluid | Refrigerated (preferred) | 7 days | |
| Frozen | 30 days | ||
| Ambient | 24 hours |
Reject Due To
| Gross hemolysis | Reject |
| Gross lipemia | Reject |
| Gross icterus | Reject |
| Anticoagulant or additive Breast milk Nasal secretions Gastric secretions Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) or bronchial washings Colostomy/ostomy Feces Cerebrospinal fluid Saliva Sputum Urine Vitreous fluid |
Reject |
Reference Values
An interpretive report will be provided.
Interpretation
A pleural fluid total protein to serum total protein ratio of above 0.5 is most consistent with exudative effusion.(2,5)
A peritoneal fluid total protein of above 2.5 g/dL in patients with a high serum ascites albumin gradient can be caused by heart failure. A peritoneal fluid total protein of over 1.0 g/dL helps to differentiate secondary from spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in conjunction with other laboratory, imaging, and clinical findings.(6,7,8)
The usefulness of measuring total protein in pericardial fluid is not well documented. Results may be interpreted in conjunction with serum or plasma total protein concentrations.
The usefulness of measuring total protein in synovial fluid is limited as it has poor sensitivity and specificity for differentiating inflammatory vs noninflammatory causes and should be interpreted in conjunction with other clinical findings.(9)
All other fluids: Total protein may be used to differentiate transudative from exudative effusions. The decision limits are not well defined in fluids other than pleural fluid and should be interpreted in conjunction with other clinical findings.(10)
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Sunday
Report Available
Same day/1 to 2 daysTest Classification
This test has been modified from the manufacturer's instructions. Its performance characteristics were determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. This test has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.CPT Code Information
84157
LOINC Code Information
| Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| TPBF | Protein, Total, BF | 2881-1 |
| Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| TPBF1 | Protein, Total, BF | 2881-1 |
| FLD23 | Fluid Type, Protein, Total | 14725-6 |
Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Renal Diagnostics Test Request (T830) with the specimen.