5' Nucleotidase

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB1231964, Beaker: 5' Nucleotid, Quest: 671

Department

Send Outs

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect (preferred specimen): One Gold-top SST tube.
Also acceptable: One plain Red-top tube.

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 freeze (-20°C/-4°F or below).

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: 1.0 mL serum, frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below). (Minimum: 0.2 mL)

Rejection Criteria

Specimens not collected and 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 freeze (-20°C/-4°F or below).

Transport: 1.0 mL serum, frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below). (Minimum: 0.2 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): 14 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 1-3 days.

Reference Range

0-10 U/L.

Test Methodology

Colorimetric (C), Kinetic.

Clinical Utility

5' Nucleotidase – 5'-Nucleotidase (5'-NT) assay kit is for the determination of 5'-NT activity in human serum samples. 5'-NT is an enzyme catalyzing the hydrolysis of nucleoside-5'-mono- phosphates to nucleosides and inorganic phosphate. The enzyme is widely distributed in human and animal tissues. The activity present in sera is released from membranes of liver cells by bile salts and has been used as a marker for liver disease. Healthy subjects have a 5'-NT activity in the range of 0-10 U/L. Increased enzyme levels in sera are associated with certain forms of liver disease, such as intra- or extra-hepatic obstruction and particularly in cases of hepatic carcinoma and in mastectomy patients with recurrent metastases. The diagnostic value of 5'-NT has been shown to be superior to other liver enzymes, especially in cases of liver metastasis.

CPT Codes

83915
LOINC: 1690-7

Contacts

Last Updated

11/19/2025