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Methemoglobin, arterial
Test CodeAMEHG
Alias/See Also
Met Hgb, arterial; %MetHb
Preferred Specimen
Lithium heparinized or Sodium heparinized whole blood in a syringe
Other Acceptable Specimens
Lithium heparinized (light green top) or Sodium heparinized (dark green top) whole blood.
Instructions
Samples should be obtained from an arterial line or arterial puncture. 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 - 3.0%
Clinical Significance
Normally one to two percent of a person's hemoglobin is methemoglobin; a higher percentage than this can be genetic or caused by exposure to various chemicals and depending on the level can cause health problems known as methemoglobinemia.
