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Test Code LAB195 Protein, Total, Spinal Fluid (CSF)

Performing Laboratory

St. Louis Children's Hospital Laboratory - Chemistry

Specimen Requirements

Patient Preparation: If patient is on fluorescein, specimen should be collected before dose is given or at least 24 hours after

Collection Container/Tube:

Preferred/acceptable: 7.0 mL screw-capped, sterile, plastic CSF collection vial

 Submission Container/Tube: If specimen is coming from outside facility aliquot processed sample into a sterile screw-capped plastic vial for transport (labeling with collection tube number taken from).

Specimen Collection Volume: minimum 0.3 mL

Special Instructions: Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

Sample Rejection

Mislabeled or unlabeled specimen

Samples that are grossly hemolyzed (or grossly bloody)

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: 

<2 month: 20-110 mg/dL     
2-4 months: 15-80 mg/dL
<4 months: 5-45 mg/dL

Critical Value: >150 mg/dL (all ages)

Critical test results will be called back automatically initially and every 24 hours thereafter.

Methodology

Turbidrimetric

Limitations

  • NA

Additional Information

FOR SLCH CORE LABORATORY USE ONLY

Lab Processing Instructions: Centrifuge to separate within 30 minutes of collection and aliquot sample into a Roche false-bottom tube for testing.

Processed Volume: 0.3 mL CSF

Analyte Stability:

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Whole Blood (unprocessed)   Ambient 4 hours
Plasma/Serum (processed) Refrigerated (preferred)    3 days
  Ambient  4 hours
  Frozen  8 months    

 

Test Classification and CPT Code

84155

LOINC

2880-3

Last Reviewed

06/2025