Melanocyte Stimulation Hormone, Alpha (a-MSH)
Test Mnemonic
MSHA
CPT Codes
- 83519 - QTY (1)
Aliases
- Alpha-Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone
- a-MSH
Includes
- Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone, Alpha
Performing Laboratory
ARUP
Specimen Requirements
| Volume | Type | Container | Collect Temperature | Transport Temperature | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 mL | Plasma | EDTA (Lavender) | Place specimen on ice after draw. | Frozen, Critical | Morning fasting specimen is preferred. If possible, discontinue steroid, ACTH, or hypertension medication for at least 48 hours prior to collection. Place specimen on ice and separate plasma from cells ASAP or within 2 hours of collection. Separate specimens must be submitted when multiple tests are ordered. |
Minimum Specimen Requirements
| Volume | Type | Container | Collect Temperature | Transport Temperature | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 mL |
Stability
| Environmental Condition | Description |
|---|---|
| Frozen | 1 month |
| Refrigerated | 24 hours |
| Ambient | Unacceptable |
Days Performed
Varies
Turnaround Time
2 - 3 weeks
Methodology
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Quantitative Radioimmunoassay |
Special Info
Morning fasting specimen is preferred. If possible, discontinue steroid, ACTH, or hypertension medication for at least 48 hours prior to collection. Separate specimens must be submitted when multiple tests are ordered. This test is New York DOH approved.
Clinical Info
a-Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone is a 13 amino acid peptide produced from metabolism of Proopiomelanocortin. One of the fragments of Proopiomelano-cortin is Adrenocorticotropin which is further fragmented to form a-Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone and Corticotropin-Like Intermediate Lobe Peptide (CLIP). The major biological property of a-Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone is hyper-pigmentation. It also stimulates Aldosterone secretion, alters the blood-brain barrier permeability for glucose, sucrose and albumin, and is excreted by the placenta. Levels are higher in children dropping to adult levels as activity of the intermediate lobe of the pituitary declines. a-Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone is the major melanotropin in the rat corresponding to b-Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone in the human.