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Melatonin, Plasma

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB6299, Beaker: XMLTN, Mayo: FMELA

Department

Send Outs

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect: Two Lavender-top EDTA tubes.

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

Centrifuge to separate plasma from cells within 2 hours of collection. Transfer plasma to a plastic transport tube and refrigerate (2-8°C or 36-46°F).

Preparation for Courier Transport

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

Rejection Criteria

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

Inpatient Specimen Preparation

Transport specimen to the Laboratory immediately for processing.

In-Lab Processing

Centrifuge to separate plasma from cells within 2 hours of collection. Transfer plasma to a plastic transport tube and refrigerate (2-8°C or 36-46°F).

Transport: 1.0 mL plasma, 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): 14 days
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 30 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 1 year

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 Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester, MN. Forwarded to National Medical Services (NMS), Willow Grove, PA.

Performed

Monday – Sunday.
Results available in 8-12 days.

Reference Range

By report.

Test Methodology

Quantitative High-Performance Liquid Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).

Interpretation

Melatonin values vary throughout the day with the peak time of production during the night. Melatonin levels drop dramatically after exposure to bright light.

Melatonin has a stimulatory and suppressive feedback on Gonadotropin release depending on Melatonin level.

Clinical Utility

Patients with cancer frequently have decreased levels of Melatonin as do patients with impaired central nervous system function. Elevated levels can be found in sympathetic orthostatic hypotension.

CPT Codes

80299

Contacts

Last Updated

10/9/2023