16440 CHRONIC URTICARIA PANEL

Test Code

URTICAR

Includes

Histamine Release (Chronic Urticaria)
Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (TPO)
Thyroglobulin Antibody
TSH

Preferred Specimen

5.4 mL serum collected in a red-top tube (no gel)

Patient Preparation
Specimen collection after fluorescein dye angiography should be delayed for at least 3 days. For patients on hemodialysis, specimen collection should be delayed for 2 weeks. According to the assay manufacturer Siemens: "Samples containing fluorescein can produce falsely depressed values when tested with the Advia Centaur TSH3 Ultra assay. "

Minimum Volume

2.7 mL

Instructions

Dietary supplements containing biotin may interfere in assays and may skew results to be either falsely high or falsely low. For patients receiving the recommended daily doses of biotin, draw samples at least 8 hours following the last biotin supplementation. For patients on mega-doses of biotin supplements, draw samples at least 72 hours following the last biotin supplementation.

Transport Temperature

Room temperature

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: 7 days
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: 28 days

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

Gross hemolysis • Lipemic • Icteric specimen • Specimen other than serum • Serum Separator Tube (SST)

Methodology
See individual tests

FDA Status
This test was developed and its analytical performance characteristics have been determined by Quest Diagnostics. It has not been cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This assay has been validated pursuant to the CLIA regulations and is used for clinical purposes.

Setup Schedule

Set up and Report available: See individual assays

Clinical Significance

Chronic urticaria is a common skin disorder affecting 1% to 6% of the general population. It is characterized by repeated occurrence of short-lived cutaneous wheals accompanied by redness and itching. Autoimmune urticaria is defined by the presence of a functional IgG antibody to high-affinity IgE receptor (Fc epsilon RI alpha) or to IgE. These antibodies trigger mast cell and basophile degranulation by the engagement of Fc epsilon receptor. Functional IgG antibody to the receptor has been identified in approximately 30-40% of patients with chronic urticaria, and anti IgE antibody has been identified in another 5-10%.

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.