Carnitine, Free and Total, Urine by Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Test Mnemonic
UCARFT
CPT Codes
- 82379 - QTY (1)
Includes
- Creatinine, Urine
- Carnitine, Free, Urine
- Carnitine, Total, Urine
- Carnitine, Esterified, Urine
- Carnitine, E/F Ratio, Urine
Performing Laboratory
ARUP
Specimen Requirements
| Volume | Type | Container | Collect Temperature | Transport Temperature | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 mL | Urine, random | Clean container | Frozen, Critical | CRITICAL FROZEN. Freeze immediately after collection. Separate specimens must be submitted when multiple tests are ordered. |
Minimum Specimen Requirements
| Volume | Type | Container | Collect Temperature | Transport Temperature | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 mL |
Stability
| Environmental Condition | Description |
|---|---|
| Frozen | 1 month |
| Refrigerated | Unacceptable |
| Ambient | Unacceptable |
Days Performed
Tue
Turnaround Time
3 - 10 days
Methodology
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Tandem Mass Spectrometry (MS-MS) |
Special Info
CRITICAL FROZEN. Separate specimens must be submitted when multiple tests are ordered. Refrigerated or room temperature specimens will be rejected. This test is New York DOH approved.
Clinical Info
Useful in the diagnosis of primary carnitine deficiency (carnitine uptake defect) in conjunction with free and total plasma carnitine. The concentration of esterified carnitine is derived from a mathematical calculation using free and total carnitine.