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Bile Acids, Total

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB5953, Beaker: XBA, Mayo: BILEA

Department

Send Outs

Instructions

The patient is required to be fasting a minimum of 12 hours prior to specimen collection.

Specimen Collection Criteria

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

Send specimen for processing immediately after collection. 

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

Let specimen clot 30-60 minutes then centrifuge to separate serum from cells. Transfer serum to a plastic transport tube and refrigerate (2-8°C or 36-46°F).

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: 0.5 mL serum, refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F). (Minimum: 0.3 mL)

Rejection Criteria

• Hemolyzed or icteric specimens.
• Specimens not collected or processed as indicated.

In-Lab Processing

Let specimen clot 30-60 minutes then centrifuge to separate serum from cells. Transfer serum to a plastic transport tube and refrigerate (2-8°C or 36-46°F).

Transport: 0.5 mL serum, refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F). (Minimum: 0.3 mL) 

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 24 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 30 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 Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester, MN.

Performed

Sunday – Saturday
Results available in 2-3 days.

Reference Range

By report.

Test Methodology

Quantitative Enzymatic.

Interpretation

Reference range applies to fasting specimens.

Clinical Utility

This assay is a sensitive indicator of liver disease. Following meals, serum bile acid levels have been shown to increase slightly in normal persons, but markedly in patients with various liver diseases.

CPT Codes

82239

Contacts

Last Updated

10/27/2023