Bile Acids, Total , Enzymatic

Test Code

14801

Alias/See Also

LAB304374

CPT Codes
82239

Preferred Specimen

1 mL serum collected in a serum separator tube (SST)

Patient Preparation
Fast for 8 hours

Minimum Volume

0.5 mL

Instructions

Centrifuge serum samples within 1 hour of collection and transfer serum into sterile transport tube(s).

Transport Container

Transport tube

Transport Temperature

Refrigerated (cold packs)

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: Unacceptable
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: 30 days

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

Unspun serum separator tube (SST) • Red-top tube (no gel)

Methodology
Enzymatic

Setup Schedule

Set up: Mon-Sat; Report available: 1-2 days

Reference Range

0-10 umol/L

Clinical Significance

Total bile acids are metabolized in the liver and, hence, serve as a marker for normal liver function. Serum total bile acids are increased in patients with acute hepatitis, chronic hepatitis, liver sclerosis and liver cancer.

Used to screen pregnant women for obstetric cholestasis. Symptoms of cholestasis included persistent itching in the third trimester of pregnancy and possible risks of unborn baby including stillbirth, premature labor and bleeding. The frequency of obstetric cholestasis varies and is 1 in 100 in pregnant European women vs. 1 in 10 in South American women. Total bile acids levels are the most sensitive indicator for monitoring the effectiveness of interferon treatment of chronic hepatitis C patients.

Performing Laboratory
Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute
14225 Newbrook Drive
Chantilly, VA 20153

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.