Sign in →

Test Code LAB3055 Hemoglobin, Plasma/Serum

Additional Codes

NOTE: This test measures the concentration of hemoglobin in plasma. This test does not differentiate in vivo hemolysis from in vitro hemolysis.

Performing Laboratory

St. Louis Children's Hospital - Chemistry

Specimen Requirements

Patient Preparation: None

Container/Tube  
Preferred: Lavender-top (EDTA) tube
Acceptable: Lavender-top (EDTA) samplette/microtainer, Gold SST gel tube, Plain red-top tube or light green-top LiHep tube
Collection Volume: 0.5 mL (minimum 0.2)

Submission Container/Tube: If specimen is coming from outside facility, send whole blood in original collection container.

Special Instructions: Immediately invert tube gently 8-10 times after collection to ensure proper mixing of blood and anticoagulant (this will avoid specimen clotting). 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 hour from receipt in performing lab

Reference Values

Reference Interval: ≤ 50 mg/dL

Critical Value: None established

Methodology

HemoCue photometer

Limitations

  • Interfering substances include bilirubin >20 and gross lipemia that can not be cleared with ultra centrifugation.
  • This test does not differentiate in vivo hemolysis from in vitro hemolysis

Additional Information

FOR SLCH CORE LABORATORY USE ONLY

Lab Processing Instructions: Spin to separate the aliquot plasma/serum into plastic vial for testing (labeling with specimen type if other than EDTA plasma)
Processed Volume: minimum 0.1 mL EDTA plasma
Analyte Stability:

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Whole Blood (unprocessed)  Ambient NA
Plasma/Serum (processed)   Refrigerated (preferred)    7 days         
  Ambient NA
  Frozen  NA       

Test Classification and CPT Code

83051

LOINC

NA

Last Reviewed

07/2025