Bile Acids, Total, Pregnancy, Enzymatic

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB1232012, Beaker: Bile Acids, Quest: 14801

Department

Send Outs

Instructions

The patient is required to be fasting a minimum of 8 hours prior to specimen collection.

NOTE: Fasting does not apply to women with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, samples should be collected post-prandially.

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 minutes, then centrifuge to separate serum from cells within one hour of collection. Transfer serum to a plastic transport tube and refrigerate (2-8°C or 36-46°F).

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: 1.0 mL serum, refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F). (Minimum: 0.5 mL)

Rejection Criteria

• Unspun SST or Red top tube.
• Specimens not collected or processed as indicated.

In-Lab Processing

Let specimen clot 30 minutes, then centrifuge to separate serum from cells. Transfer serum to a plastic transport tube and refrigerate (2-8°C or 36-46°F).

Transport: 1.0 mL serum, refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F). (Minimum: 0.5 mL) 

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): Unacceptable
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 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

Monday – Saturday
Results available in 2-4 days.

Reference Range

0-10 umol/L

Test Methodology

Enzymatic

Interpretation

By report.

Clinical Utility

Bile Acids, Total, Pregnancy, Enzymatic – Used to screen pregnant women for obstetric cholestasis. Symptoms of cholestasis included persistent itching in the third trimester of pregnancy and possible risks of unborn baby including stillbirth, premature labor and bleeding. The frequency of obstetric cholestasis varies and is 1 in 100 in pregnant European women vs. 1 in 10 in South American women. Total bile acids levels are the most sensitive indicator for monitoring the effectiveness of interferon treatment of chronic hepatitis C patients.

Total bile acids are metabolized in the liver and, hence, serve as a marker for normal liver function. Serum total bile acids are increased in patients with acute hepatitis, chronic hepatitis, liver sclerosis and liver cancer.

CPT Codes

82239

Contacts

Last Updated

12/17/2025