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Test Code LAB149 C Reactive Protein (Acute Phase), Blood

Performing Laboratory

St. Louis Children's Hospital - Chemistry

Specimen Requirements

Patient Preparation: None

Container/Tube  
Preferred: Mint green-top Lithium heparin (MNTGRN LiHep) tube
Acceptable: Green samplette/microtainer, plain red-top tube, Gold SST gel tube, or Lavender-top (EDTA) tube
Collection Volume: 1.0 mL (minimum 0.6 mL)

Submission Container/Tube: If specimen is coming from outside facility and collected in a microtainer, Lavender-top (EDTA) tube or plain red-top tube aliquot processed sample into a plastic vial for transport (labeling with specimen type).
Special Instructions: Send to lab promptly.

Sample Rejection

Mislabeled or unlabeled specimens

Logistics

Test Availability: Monday-Sunday
Cut-off time: None; performed as received
Turnaround Time: Same day; 2 hours from receipt in performing lab

Reference Values

Reference Interval:

all ages: ≤10.0 mg/L                                                                                          

Critical Values: None established

Methodology

Particle enhanced immuno-turbidmetric assay

Limitations

  • As with any assay employing mouse antibodies, the possibility exists for interference by human anti-mouse antibodies (HAMA) in the sample which could falsely lower results.
  • In vary rare cases gammopathy, in particular IgM (Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia), may cause unreliable results.

For diagnostics purposes, the results should always be assessed in conjunction with the patient's medical history, clinical examination, and other findings.

Additional Information

FOR SLCH CORE LABORATORY USE ONLY

Lab Processing Instructions: Centrifuge specimen to separate. If specimen is collected in a microtainer, plain red-top tube or Lavender-top (EDTA) tube, aliquot sample into a Roche false bottom tube for testing (labeling with specimen type)
Processed Volume: 0.3 mL plasma/serum
Analyte Stability:

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Whole Blood (unprocessed)  Ambient 8 hours
Plasma/Serum (processed) Refrigerated (preferred)    3 weeks
  Ambient  8 hours
  Frozen  6 months 

 

Test Classification and CPT Code

86140

LOINC

30522-7

Last Reviewed

06/2025