Adenosine Deaminase, Blood

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB1231969, Beaker: XADEN, Quest: 39148

Department

Send Outs

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect (preferred specimen): One Lavender-top EDTA tube.

Also acceptable: Pink (K₂EDTA), or Green (sodium or lithium heparin)

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

Do not centrifuge. Maintain whole blood at room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F) prior to transport.

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: 4.0 mL whole blood, room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F) in original collection tube. (Minimum: 1.0 mL)

Rejection Criteria

• Hemolyzed specimens.
• Specimens not collected and processed as indicated.

In-Lab Processing

Do not centrifuge. Maintain whole blood at room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F) prior to transport.

Transport: 4.0 mL whole blood, room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F) in original collection tube. (Minimum: 1.0 mL)

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 15 days
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 15 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): Unacceptable

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, Tuesday, Thursday
Results available in 2-4 days.

Reference Range

400-900 mU/g Hb

Test Methodology

Kinetic Spectrophotometry

Clinical Utility

Adenosine Deaminase, RBC – Adenosine Deaminase (ADA) deficiency is an autosomal recessive disorder of purine metabolism primarily affecting lymphocyte development, viability, and function. Affected individuals have less than 1 percent of normal ADA catalytic activity in red cell hemolysates. ADA deficiency is the cause of 20-30 percent of SCID cases. If the patient has been recently transfused, ADA deficiency may be masked; interpret results with caution. Heterozygotes cannot be identified by this test.

CPT Codes

82657

Contacts

Last Updated

11/21/2025