Carboxyhemoglobin, venous

Test Code

VCOHG

Alias/See Also

Carboxy Hgb, venous; %COHb

Preferred Specimen

EDTA (lavender/purple top) or Sodium heparinized (dark green top) whole blood. Microtainer (bullet) is not acceptable

Minimum Volume

60 ul

Other Acceptable Specimens

Lithium heparinized (light green top) whole blood. Microtainer (bullet) is not acceptable.

Instructions

Samples should be obtained by venipuncture. Care should be take to prevent the introduction of air into the sample when it is drawn. When using a syringe, expel all air bubbles from the syringe, then cap and seal the end of the syringe.

Transport Container

Collection container

Transport Temperature

Room temperature

Specimen Stability

Deliver immediately to the laboratory.

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

Any specimen other than heparinized (Li or Na) or EDTA anti-coagulated whole blood. Any clotted or hemolyzed specimen.

Reference Range

0.0 - 4.0%

Clinical Significance

Carboxyhemoglobin is a stable complex of carbon monoxide and hemoglobin that forms in red blood cells when carbon monoxide is inhaled or produced in normal metabolism. Large quantities of it hinder delivery of oxygen to the body. Tobacco smoking (through carbon monoxide inhalation) raises the blood levels of COHb by a factor of several times from its normal concentrations.

Performing Laboratory
Performed at Shady Grove Medical Center Only. Will be transported to SGMC STAT at room temp (when ordered at other locations).

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.