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Carboxyhemoglobin, Blood
Message*Do NOT open tube, parafilm and send whole blood
Test Code
309
Alias/See Also
LAB56
CPT Codes
82375
Preferred Specimen
Whole blood collected in 1 full EDTA (lavender-top) tube
Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Other Acceptable Specimens
Whole blood collected in: Sodium heparin (green-top) tube or lithium heparin (green-top) tube
Instructions
Keep tube closed
Transport Container
EDTA (lavender-top) tube
Transport Temperature
Room temperature
Specimen Stability
Room temperature: 5 days
Refrigerated: 10 days
Frozen: Unacceptable
Refrigerated: 10 days
Frozen: Unacceptable
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Fluoride oxalate (gray-top) tube • Grossly clotted
Methodology
Spectrophotometry (SP)
Setup Schedule
Daily
Report Available
Next day
Reference Range
Non-Smoker | <2 % of total Hgb |
Average Smoker | 4-5 % of total Hgb |
Heavy Smoker | 8-12 % of total Hgb |
Potentially Toxic | >15 % of total Hgb |
Clinical Significance
Carbon monoxide is the most common of the gaseous poisons. Malfunctioning or poorly ventilated heating appliances and internal combustion engines are frequent causes of carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide combines reversibly with hemoglobin in a manner almost identical to oxygen resulting in a decrease in the amount of oxygen carried by hemoglobin. Accidental poisoning can occur even at low levels (greater than 0.01%) of CO in the atmosphere with prolonged exposure.
Performing Laboratory
Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute-Chantilly VA |
14225 Newbrook Drive |
Chantilly, VA 20151-2228 |