TEGRETOL LEVEL (CARBAMAZEPINE)

Test Code

LAB21

Preferred Specimen

One 6 mL red top tube
Pediatric: One red top microtainer

Other Acceptable Specimens

Dark green top tube

Instructions

Specify dosage history. Time drawn must be written on label. Sample must be centrifuged within two hours of collection. Serum/plasma must be removed from the red cells and put into aliquot tubes following centrifugation.

Transport Temperature

Refrigerated

Specimen Stability

Centrifuge within two hours of collection
Ambient: 2 days
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: 1 month

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

Samples drawn in a tube with a separator gel will be rejected. The separator gel may cause falsely lower results.

Methodology
Immunoturbidimetric

Setup Schedule

Sunday-Saturday

Clinical Significance

Carbamazepine therapy requires ~2-5 days to reach steady-state (halflife ~ 25-65 hours, but is highly variable.

Trough levels are drawn immediately prior to the next dose. Trough levels are initially drawn 2-5 days after initiating therapy.

Consider monitoring for changes in blood counts and liver function tests. Dermatologic reactions can occur.

Performing Laboratory
West Virginia University Hospital, Inc.
Berkeley Medical Center
Camden Clark Medical Center
Princeton Community Hospital
Potomac Valley Hospital
Reynolds Memorial Hospital
Uniontown Hospital
Wetzel County Hospital
Wheeling Hospital

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.