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Test Code TEGR Carbamazepine

Specimen and Container/Tube

Specimen Type: Serum

Preferred Specimen: Red Top

Other Acceptable specimens: Serum/Gold Top, Plasma/Li-Heparin Mint Green Top, Plasma/Sodium-Heparin Green Top, Plasma/Lavendar K2 Top

Specimen Handling and Transport Instructions

UCMC Onsite Instructions: 

  • Collect specimen per standard collection procedure and send to laboratory immediately. Collection time varies dependent upon desired measurement of peak or trough values.

 

UCMC Offsite and UC MedLab Outreach Instructions: 

  • Collection time varies dependent upon desired measurement of peak or trough values.
  • Samples should be centrifuged within 2 hours of collection.
  • Centrifuge specimens at >2500 x g for 10 minutes at room temperature.
  • Aliquot sample into plastic transport tube containing a minimum of 0.2 mL of specimen.
  • Samples must be sent refrigerated at 2-8oC.

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 are clotted or grossly hemolyzed.
  • Specimens that were transported unspun/whole blood and draw time is greater than 6 hours.

Reference Values

Test

Age

Sex

Reference Range

Carbamazepine

All

All

8.0 - 12.0 μg/mL

Critical Values

Analyte

Unit

Low

High

Age

Carbamazepine

μg/mL

N/A

> 20

All

CPT Codes

80156

LOINC Codes

3432-2

Volume

Preferred Volume: 0.5 mL

Minimum Volume: 0.2 mL

Specimen Stability

Storage Temperature

Stability

Room temperature

2 days

Refrigerated

7 days

Frozen

4 weeks

Collection Instructions

Collect specimen per standard laboratory collection procedures. Collection time varies dependent upon desired measurement of peak or trough values.

 

Test Components

Carbamazepine

Clinical Indications

  • Useful for monitoring therapy, determining compliance and assessing toxicity.

Methodology

Kinetic Interaction of Microparticles in solution (KIMS) (Roche Diagnostics)

Additional Information

  • Results should always be assessed in conjunction with patient's medical history, clinical examination and other findings.
  • For the purpose of monitoring blood levels, consistency of sample collection timing after administration of the last drug dose improves the safety and efficacy of the anticonvulsant. The timing of specimen collection can influence the relationship between carbamazepine concentration and the clinical response. Other pharmacokinetic factors such as mode of administration, dosage form, concomitant drug therapy, and biological variations in drug absorption should be taken into consideration.

Turnaround Time

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

 

STAT Turnaround Time: 1 hour

Routine Turnaround Time: 4 hours

Testing Schedule: 24/7

Synonyms/Keyword Search

Carbatrol, Tegretol

Last Review Date

1/26/23