Pseudocholinesterase, Total, Serum
Test Mnemonic
PCHE
CPT Codes
- 82480 - QTY (1)
LOINC ®
2098-2
Aliases
- Butyrylcholinesterase
- Cholinesterase (Pseudo), Total
- Serum Cholinesterase (Pseudochol)
Performing Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Dpt of Lab Med & Pathology
Specimen Requirements
| Volume | Type | Container | Collect Temperature | Transport Temperature | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 mL | Serum | SST (Gold) | Refrigerated | Serum gel tubes should be centrifuged within 2 hours of collection. |
Alternate Specimen Requirements
| Volume | Type | Container | Collect Temperature | Transport Temperature | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 mL | Serum | No additive (Red) | Refrigerated | Red-top tubes should be centrifuged and aliquoted within 2 hours of collection. |
Minimum Specimen Requirements
| Volume | Type | Container | Collect Temperature | Transport Temperature | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.25 mL |
Stability
| Environmental Condition | Description |
|---|---|
| Refrigerated | 14 days (preferred) |
| Frozen | 365 days |
| Ambient | 24 hours |
Days Performed
Mon - Fri
Turnaround Time
2 - 3 days
Methodology
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Colorimetry |
Reference Range
| Pseudocholinesterase | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sex | Age From | Age To | Type | Range | Range Unit |
| Male | Normal | 5320 - 12920 | U/L | Female | Years | 15 Years | Normal | 5320 - 12920 | U/L | Female | 16 Years | 39 Years | Normal | 4260 - 11250 | U/L | Female | 40 Years | 41 Years | Normal | 5320 - 12920 | U/L | 42 Years and older: 5320 - 12920 U/L | Note: Females age 18-41 years who are pregnant or taking hormonal contraceptives: 3650-9120 U/L |
Special Info
Patient Prep: For cases of prolonged apnea following surgery, wait at least 24 hours before obtaining specimen.
Clinical Info
Useful for monitoring exposure to organophosphorus insecticides. Monitoring patients with liver disease, particularly those undergoing liver transplantation. Identifying patients who are homozygous or heterozygous for an atypical gene and have low levels of pseudocholinesterase. This test is not useful for the differential diagnosis of jaundice. Cautions: Certain drugs and anesthetic agents may produce in-vitro inhibition of the PCHE activity. Therefore, it is recommended that blood specimens be drawn 24 to 48 hours post-operatively on those patients who have experienced prolonged apnea after surgery. There are some homozygous and heterozygous individuals who are sensitive to succinylcholine although their total pseudocholinesterase values are normal. A dibucaine inhibition test is necessary to confirm the presence of the abnormal allele in these individuals. Chemotherapy may interfere with test results, depending on the impact it has on the liver. PCHE levels may be lower due to this, and if so, testing should be repeated at a later date.