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Electrolytes Panel (Lytes)

Serum Electrolytes, Electrolyte Panel

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB5042, Beaker: LYTES, Antrim: 13675

Department

Chemistry

Instructions

• Blood should be obtained with as little venous stasis (i.e. tourniquet time) as possible. Fist clenching may result in false elevation of potassium.
• Specimens should be kept tightly closed since CO₂ will diffuse out if the tube is uncapped. This will cause an erroneously decreased value.

Specimen Collection Criteria

FOR EC AND INPATIENT SAMPLE COLLECTION ONLY:

Preferred Sample:  One Light Green Top Plasma Separator Tube (PST). (Minimum Whole Blood: 4.0 mL)

Acceptable Sample:  One Gold Top SST. (Minimum Whole Blood:  4.0 mL)

FOR PHYSICIAN OFFICE/OUTREACH SAMPLE COLLECTION:

COLLECT:  One Gold Top SST. (Minimum Whole Blood:  4.0 mL) 

Contact Laboratory for acceptability of other tube types.
See Minimum Pediatric Specimen Requirements for Microtainer^® collection.

Caution: Never refrigerate collection tube prior to centrifugation. This may cause a falsely elevated potassium.

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

Let SST specimens clot 30-60 minutes then immediately centrifuge to separate serum from cells. Refrigerate (2–8°C or 36–46°F) the centrifuged SST tube within two hours of collection. (Minimum: 0.5 mL)

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: Centrifuged SST tube, refrigerated (2–8°C or 36–46°F). (Minimum: 0.5 mL)

Rejection Criteria

• Moderate to grossly hemolyzed specimens.
• Inadequately centrifuged Microtainers^® or Gold-top tubes.
• Red-top tubes with serum not separated from cells within two hours of collection.

In-Lab Processing

Let SST specimens clot 30-60 minutes. Centrifuge SST tubes or Microtainers^® to separate serum from cells. Deliver immediately to the appropriate testing station.

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Centrifuged SST Tubes and Microtainers^® with Separator Gel
Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 2-4 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 days*
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): Unacceptable

Red-top Tubes and Microtainers^® without Separator Gel
Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 2-4 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): Unacceptable
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): Unacceptable

Serum Specimens (Pour-Overs)
Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 2-4 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 days*
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 7 days

*Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) has a stability of 3 days refrigerated. CO₂ may be falsely decreased for Electrolyte Panel add-on requests on specimens greater than 72 hours past the time of collection.

Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:

Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36–46°F): 7 days

Laboratory

Canton Chemistry Laboratory
Dearborn Chemistry Laboratory
Farmington Hills Chemistry Laboratory 
Grosse Pointe Chemistry Laboratory 
Royal Oak Automated Chemistry Laboratory 
Troy Chemistry Laboratory
Taylor Chemistry Laboratory
Trenton Chemistry Laboratory
Wayne Chemistry Laboratory 

Performed

Sunday – Saturday, 24 hours a day.
STAT results available within 1 hour of receipt in the Laboratory.
Routine results available within 4 hours.

Reference Range

See specific analytes for reference range.
This panel includes: Carbon Dioxide (CO₂), Chloride, Potassium, and Sodium.

Test Methodology

Potentiometry, Spectrophotometry.

Interpretation

See specific analytes for interpretation.
This panel includes: Carbon Dioxide (CO₂), Chloride, Potassium, and Sodium.

Clinical Utility

This panel is used to monitor electrolyte status. It aids in the evaluation of acid-base balance, in the evaluation of hydration status (diarrhea, dehydration) and in disorders such as ketoacidosis.

CPT Codes

80051

Contacts

Last Updated

10/25/2023