PROTEIN C ACTIVITY

Test Code

LAB7935

CPT Codes
85303

Preferred Specimen

1 Blue tube (Sodium Citrate)

Patient Preparation
Standard venipuncture, avoid traumatic puncture. Tube MUST be full for proper whole blood to anticoagulant ratio. Invert tube "end to end" to prevent clotting.

Minimum Volume

1 mL platelet-poor plasma (2 mL platelet-poor plasma optimal)

Instructions

Refer to document below on obtaining a platelet-poor specimen.

Transport Container

Transfer tube

Transport Temperature

Frozen

Specimen Stability

Freeze at -20° or lower stable for 1 month

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

Hemolyzed
Clotted
Tube underfilled or overfilled

Methodology
Chromogenic

Setup Schedule

Tu, Th

Batched; once per day run

Report Available

Same day tested

Reference Range

70 - 160%

Clinical Significance

Low Protein C is characterized by venous thrombosis, anticoagulant therapy, liver disease, vitamin K deficiency, malignancy, consumptive DIC, surgery, and antibodies to Protein C. If blood is drawn from an indwelling catheter, flush line with saline and the first 5ml of blood discarded.

Performing Laboratory
Alverno Central Laboratory

Additional Information
Obtaining A Platelet-Poor Specimen

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.