Valproic Acid, Free and Total
Depakene®, Depakote®, Valproate, Valproex®, Divalproes, Dipropyl acetic acid, Epilim, Valparin, Vilapro, Stavzor
Test Codes
EPIC: LAB172, Beaker: XVALF, CHW: LAB172
NOTE: Due to no weekend delivery. Specimens received in lab
between Friday and Sunday will not be sent out until Monday.
Department
Chemistry
Specimen Collection Criteria
Collect (preferred specimen): One Gold-top SST tube.
Also acceptable: 4.5 mL Light Green top (Lithium
Heparin Gel)
Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation
Let specimen clot 30-60 minutes then centrifuge to separate serum/plasma from cells within two hours of collection. Transfer serum to a plastic transport tube and refrigerate (2-8°C or 36-46°F).
Preparation for Courier Transport
Transport: Serum/plasma, refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F). (Minimum: 2.0 mL)
Rejection Criteria
Specimens not collected and processed as indicated.
In-Lab Processing
Let specimen clot 30-60 minutes then centrifuge to separate
serum/plasma from cells within two hours of collection. Transfer serum to a
plastic transport tube and refrigerate (2-8°C or 36-46°F).
Transport: Serum/plasma, refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F). (Minimum: 2.0 mL)
Storage
Specimen Stability for Testing:
Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 8 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 24 hours
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): Aliquot plasma/serum for longer storage
Specimen Storage in Department Prior to
Disposal: 72 hours
Specimen
retention time is determined by the policy of the reference laboratory. Contact
the Send Outs Laboratory with any questions.
Laboratory
Sent to Corewell Health Reference Laboratory, Grand Rapids, MI.
Performed
Sunday – Saturday.
Results available within 2 days.
Reference Range
By report.
Test Methodology
Homogenous Enzyme Immunoassay.
Interpretation
Free valproic acid may be important to monitor in patients with altered or unpredictable protein binding capacity because valproic acid exhibits variable, dose-dependent protein binding. Valproic acid is also subject to drug-drug interactions due to displacement of protein binding. Calculating percent free attempts to minimize differences in assay cross-reactivity and may be useful in dose optimization.
CPT Codes
80165, 80164
Contacts
Send Outs Laboratory – RO
248-551-9045
Name: Send Outs Laboratory – RO
Location:
Phone: 248-551-9045
Last Updated
12/2/2024
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