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Test Code PSAGF Protein S Antigen, Free

Specimen and Container/Tube

Specimen Type: Plasma

Preferred Specimen: Light Blue Top Tube, 3.2% Sodium Citrate

Other Acceptable specimens: N/A

Specimen Handling and Transport Instructions

UCMC Onsite Instructions: 

Collect specimen per standard collection procedure and send to laboratory immediately. 

 

NOTE: Once each blue top tube is completely filled, gently invert the sample tube at least five times to ensure complete mixing of the contents.

 

UCMC Offsite and UC MedLab Outreach Instructions: 

  • Collect specimen per standard collection procedure.
  • Once each blue top tube is completely filled, gently invert the sample tube at least five times to ensure complete mixing of the contents.
  • Centrifuge specimens at >2500 x g for 10 minutes at room temperature.
  • Carefully remove plasma from cells using a plastic transfer pipette avoiding buffy coat.
  • Aliquot removed plasma into 2 plastic tubes containing a minimum of 0.5 mL of specimen in each tube.
  • Plasma samples must then be frozen at -20oC.
  • Once solidly frozen, they must be shipped on dry ice. Samples that have thawed in transit will be rejected.

Rejection Criteria

  • Common specimen rejected situations include: incorrect specimen type, insufficient volume, missing or incomplete specimen identifiers, incorrect specimen transport, or specimens outside stability limits. 
  • Specimens that have wrong ratio of blood to anticoagulant (fill volume), clotted or grossly hemolyzed.

Reference Values

 

Test

Age

Sex

Reference Range

Protein S free antigen

ALL

ALL

63 - 154 %

Critical Values

Analyte

Unit

Low

High

Age

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

CPT Codes

85306

LOINC Codes

27821-8

Volume

Preferred Volume: 2.0 mL

 

Minimum Volume: 1.0 mL

Specimen Stability

Storage Temperature

Stability

Room temperature

4 hours

Refrigerated

not acceptable

Frozen

30 days

Collection Instructions

Collect specimen per standard laboratory collection procedures. 

 

NOTE: Once each blue top tube is completely filled, gently invert the sample tube at least five times to ensure complete mixing of the contents.

Test Components

Protein S free antigen

Clinical Indications

The test is intended to measure protein S antigen unbound to C4BP, and is performed in patients with low protein S activity.

Methodology

Latex Immunoassay

Additional Information

This test will follow an abnormally low protein S activity. Additionally, if both protein S activity and protein S free antigen assays are low, protein S total antigen testing will be performed.

 

In the immediate post-thrombotic period, a decreased Protein S value should not necessarily be interpreted as reflecting an underlying deficiency since the decrease may be due to consumption.

 

3.2% sodium citrate light blue top tubes must have 9 to 1 ratio of blood to anticoagulant.

Turnaround Time

Turnaround times are relative to the time the specimen is received in the test laboratory. 

STAT Turnaround Time: N/A

 

Routine Turnaround Time: 4 days

 

Testing Schedule:  Twice a week, Monday to Friday, 8 am to 3 pm

Synonyms/Keyword Search

Protein S; Free Protein S

Last Review Date

05/28/2024

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