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 mLSerumSST (Gold)Place specimen on ice after draw.Frozen, CriticalOvernight 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
AmbientAfter separation from cells: Unacceptable
RefrigeratedAfter separation from cells: 4 hours
FrozenAfter 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
   Months5 MonthsNormal< or = 0.73mmol/L
 2 Years17 YearsNormal< or = 1.78mmol/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.