Fatty Acids, Free (Non-Esterified)
Test Mnemonic
FFA
CPT Codes
- 82725 - QTY (1)
Performing Laboratory
ARUP
Specimen Requirements
| Volume | Type | Container | Collect Temperature | Transport Temperature | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 mL | Serum | SST (Gold) | Place specimen on ice after draw. | Frozen, Critical | Overnight fasting specimen is preferred. Allow serum specimen to clot completely on ice. Separate serum from cells, aliquot into standard transport tube and freeze immediately. Separate specimens must be submitted when multiple tests are ordered. |
Minimum Specimen Requirements
| Volume | Type | Container | Collect Temperature | Transport Temperature | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 mL |
Stability
| Environmental Condition | Description |
|---|---|
| Ambient | After separation from cells: Unacceptable |
| Refrigerated | After separation from cells: 4 hours |
| Frozen | After separation from cells: 1 month |
Days Performed
Mon, Wed, Fri
Turnaround Time
2 - 5 days
Methodology
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Spectrophotometry (S) |
Reference Range
| Fatty Acids, Free | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sex | Age From | Age To | Type | Range | Range Unit |
| Months | 5 Months | Normal | < or = 0.73 | mmol/L | 2 Years | 17 Years | Normal | < or = 1.78 | mmol/L | 6 Months - 1 Year: < or = 0.99 mmol/L | 18 Years or older: < or = 0.78 mmol/L |
Special Info
Critical Frozen. Serum must be separated from cells and frozen immediately, otherwise lipase continues to break down triglycerides, giving rise to elevated levels of nonesterified (free) fatty acids. Overnight fasting preferred. Specimens collected in EDTA, heparin, sodium fluoride/potassium oxalate, sodium citrate, or ammonium oxalate are unacceptable. Non-frozen specimens are not acceptable. This test is New York DOH approved.