Nortriptyline

Test Code

NOR

Quest Code

272

CPT Codes
80299

Preferred Specimen

3 mL serum collected in a red-top tube (no gel)

Patient Preparation
Collect at steady-state trough concentration. Specimen should be collected >12 hours after dose.

Minimum Volume

1.5 mL

Other Acceptable Specimens

Plasma collected in: EDTA (lavender-top) tube, sodium heparin (green-top) tube, or lithium heparin (green-top) tube

Instructions

Do not use gel barrier/Serum Separator tubes. ACD tube is unacceptable.

Transport Temperature

Refrigerated

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: 5 days
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: 30 days

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

Gross hemolysis • Gel barrier/Serum separator tube (SST)

Methodology
Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry

FDA Status
This test was developed and its analytical performance characteristics have been determined by Quest Diagnostics. It has not been cleared or approved by FDA. This assay has been validated pursuant to the CLIA regulations and is used for clinical purposes.

Setup Schedule

Set up: Tues-Sat; Report available: 1-4 days

Reference Range

50-150 mcg/L

Clinical Significance

Nortriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant. Therapeutic drug levels are monitored to assist the physician assessing therapeutic response and to avoid toxicity.

Performing Laboratory
Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute
27027 Tourney Road
Valencia, CA 91355-5386

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.