Carnitine, Free & Total

Test Code

CARN

Alias/See Also

Carnitine

Preferred Specimen

1 mL serum

Minimum Volume

0.2 mL

Transport Container

Plastic vial

Transport Temperature

Frozen

Specimen Stability

7 days ambient, freezing of specimen is preferred

Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

Gross hemolysis, gross lipemia, gross icterus

Report Available

3-6 days

Reference Range

See report for normal ranges.

Clinical Significance

Evaluation of carnitine in serum, plasma, tissue, and urine screens patients for suspected primary disorders of the carnitine cycle, or secondary disturbances in carnitine levels as a result of organic acidemias and fatty acid oxidation disorders. In the latter disorders, acyl-CoA groups accumulate and are excreted into the urine and bile as carnitine derivatives, resulting in a secondary carnitine deficiency. More than 100 such primary and secondary disorders have been described. Individually, the incidence of these disorders varies from <1 in 10,000 to >1 in 1,000,000 live births. Collectively, their incidence is approximately 1 in 1,000 live births. Other conditions which could cause an abnormal carnitine level are neuromuscular diseases, gastrointestinal disorders, familial cardiomyopathy, renal tubulopathies and chronic renal failure (dialysis), and prolonged treatment with steroids, antibiotics (pivalic acid), anticonvulsants (valproic acid), and total parenteral nutrition

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.