Glucose

Test Code

GLU

Preferred Specimen

1 mL serum

Patient Preparation
Fasting preferred. Fasting is defined as no consumption of food or beverage other than water for at least 8 hours before testing.

Minimum Volume

0.5 mL

Other Acceptable Specimens

Heparinized plasma, fluoride/oxalate plasma

Instructions

Serum and plasma submissions must be separated from cells

Transport Container

Serum separator tube (SST)

Transport Temperature

Ambient

Specimen Stability

Ambient: 8 hours
Refrigerated: 3 days

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

Unspun serum or plasma separator tube >2 hours old (SST<sup>®</sup> or PST) • Red-top or green-top tube (serum or heparinized plasma not separated from cells) • Anticoagulants other than lithium heparin, sodium heparin or fluoride/oxalate

Methodology
Spectrophotometry (SP)

Setup Schedule

24/7

Report Available

Same day

Limitations

Glucose levels may be depressed if sample is left to clot and not spun for an excessive length of time.

Reference Range

70-110 mg/dL

Clinical Significance

Serum glucose levels may be abnormally high (hyperglycemia) or abnormally low (hypoglycemia). Glucose measurements are used in the diagnosis and treatment of carbohydrate metabolic disorders including diabetes mellitus, idiopathic hypoglycemia, and pancreatic islet cell neoplasm.

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.