Bile Acids, Fractionated and Total

Chenodeoxycholic Acid,Cholic Acid,Deoxycholic Acid

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB1232169, Beaker: BILE ACIDS, Quest: 4668

Department

Send Outs

Instructions

The patient is required to be fasting a minimum of 12 hours prior to specimen collection.

Testing includes:

• Cholic Acid
• Deoxycholic Acid
  
• Chenodeoxycholic Acid
  
• Total Bile Acids

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect (preferred specimen): One Gold-top SST tube.

Also acceptable: One plain Red-top tube.

Send specimen for processing immediately after collection. 

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

Let specimen clot 30-60 minutes then centrifuge to separate serum from cells. Transfer serum to plastic transport tube and maintain at room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F) prior to transport.

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: 1.0 mL serum, room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F). (Minimum: 0.2 mL)

Rejection Criteria

• Hemolyzed or icteric specimens.
• Specimens not collected or processed as indicated.

In-Lab Processing

Let specimen clot 30-60 minutes then centrifuge to separate serum from cells. Transfer serum to plastic transport tube and maintain at room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F).

Transport: 1.0 mL serum, room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F). (Minimum: 0.2 mL)

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 14 days
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 21 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 30 days

Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:

Specimen retention time is determined by the policy of the reference laboratory. Contact the Send Outs Laboratory with any questions.

Laboratory

Sent to Quest Diagnostics, Wood Dale, IL.

Performed

Sunday – Friday.
Results available in 4-6 days.

Reference Range

Cholic Acid	≤1.8 umol/L
Deoxycholic Acid	≤2.4 umol/L
Chenodeoxycholic Acid	≤3.1 umol/L
Total Bile Acids	≤6.8 umol/L

Test Methodology

Chromatography / Mass Spectrometry

Interpretation

Reference range applies to fasting specimens.

Clinical Utility

Bile Acids, Fractionated and Total – Bile acids are formed in the liver, from cholesterol, stored and concentrated in the gallbladder, and excreted into the intestines in response to food. Elevated concentrations often suggest impaired hepatic clearance due to liver disease. Patients with intestinal malabsorption and metabolic disorders such as Gilbert's disease do not exhibit elevated bile acids.

CPT Codes

82542

Contacts

Last Updated

12/17/2025