ALA Dehydratase, Whole Blood

Test Code

19939

Preferred Specimen

!!!-LOOK ALIKE-SOUND ALIKE-!!!
SODIUM HEPARIN, Green Top
Tube will read "Sodium Heparin"

Patient Preparation
Abstinence from alcohol is essential for at least 24 hours prior to specimen collection as ethanol suppresses aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) activity, leading to false-positive results.

Minimum Volume

3 mL

Other Acceptable Specimens

Lavender Top
OR
Lithium Heparin Green Top

Instructions

Immediately place specimen on wet ice.

Note: Include a list of medications the patient is currently taking and forward with the specimen.

Transport Container

Sodium heparin (green-top) tube

Transport Temperature

Refrigerated (cold packs)

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: 4 days
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: Unacceptable

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

Gross hemolysis • Received frozen

Methodology
Enzymatic End Point/Spectrofluorometric

Setup Schedule

a.m. Mon-Fri

Reference Range

See Laboratory Report

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.