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Test Code VALPA Valproic Acid, Total, Serum

Reporting Name

Valproic Acid, Tot, S

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Useful For

Monitoring total valproic acid in therapy

 

Assessing compliance

 

Evaluating potential toxicity

Method Name

Immunoassay


Specimen Required


Collection Container/Tube:

Preferred: Serum gel

Acceptable: Red top

Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial

Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Serum gel tubes should be centrifuged within 2 hours of collection.

2. Red-top tubes should be centrifuged and serum aliquoted into a plastic vial within 2 hours of collection.


Specimen Type

Serum

Specimen Minimum Volume

0.25 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Serum Refrigerated (preferred) 14 days
  Frozen  28 days
  Ambient  72 hours

Reject Due To

Gross hemolysis Reject

Reference Values

Therapeutic: 50 (trough)-125 (peak) mcg/mL

Critical value: ≥151 mcg/mL

Interpretation

The generally acceptable range for total valproic acid used as a reference to guide therapy is 50 to 125 mcg/mL. Peak levels should not exceed 125 mcg/mL.

 

Because the concentration of valproic acid fluctuates considerably depending on the time from last dose, interpretation of the clinical significance of the valproic acid concentration must take into consideration the timing of the blood specimen. For this reason, 2 collections are sometimes made to assess the trough and peak concentrations.

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Sunday

Report Available

Same day/1 to 2 days

Test Classification

This test has been cleared, approved, or is exempt by the US Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.

CPT Code Information

80164

LOINC Code Information

Test ID Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
VALPA Valproic Acid, Tot, S 4086-5

 

Result ID Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
VALPA Valproic Acid, Tot, S 4086-5

Forms

If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send 1 of the following forms with the specimen:

-Neurology Specialty Testing Client Test Request (T732)

-Therapeutics Test Request (T831)