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Pyruvic Acid, Blood

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB1231461, Beaker: XPABL, MAYO: PYR

Department

Send Outs

Instructions

• Because of the importance of sample processing, it is required that blood be drawn only on inpatients or patients sent to a Beaumont Outpatient Lab at one of the Hospital campuses.
• Special Handling for Blood Samples: A pre-chilled tube containing the appropriate volume of 6% Perchloric Acid MUST be obtained from Phlebotomy before blood is obtained from the patient.

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect (preferred specimen): Whole blood in a syringe. (Volume: 1.0 mL)

• Venous samples should be collected without (or with minimal use of) a tourniquet.
• NOTE: Personal protective equipment, including goggles, is mandatory when handling. The Perchloric Acid (6%) tube should be chilled prior to specimen collection.
• For blood samples only, once collected, IMMEDIATELY transfer 1.0 mL of whole blood to the chill Perchloric Acid (6%) tube. Replace cap, mix vigorously and place ON ICE. Send tube(s), ON ICE, to the lab for processing. DO NOT CENTRIFUGE.

Rejection Criteria

Specimens not collected and processed as indicated.

In-Lab Processing

Transport: Perchloric Acid tube with whole blood, refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F). DO NOT CENTRIFUGE.

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): Unacceptable
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 Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester, MN.

Performed

Monday, Wednesday.
Results available in 4-8 days.

Reference Range

By report.

Test Methodology

Spectrophotometry (SP).

Interpretation

• Increased blood pyruvic acid levels occur in liver disease, congestive heart failure, uremia, diabetic ketosis, diabetes mellitus, muscular dystrophy, malignant hyperthermia, thiamine deficiency and neoplastic conditions.
• The pyruvate level will be significantly decreased if the blood is not added to the perchloric acid immediately after collection.

Clinical Utility

• Pyruvic and lactic acid levels are widely used as measures of "oxygen-debt." These measurements are helpful in that they provide an index of the severity of circulatory failure.
• Pyruvic acid is also helpful in evaluating patients with inborn errors of metabolism leading to increased serum lactate levels. A lactate to pyruvate ratio less than 25 suggests defective gluconeogenesis, whereas a ratio 35 or greater is consistent with hypoxia.

CPT Codes

84210
LOINC:  14121-8, 2905-8

Contacts

Last Updated

11/15/2024