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HelpTest Code LAB43 Acetaminophen Level, Blood
Performing Laboratory
St. Louis Children's Hospital Laboratory - Chemistry
Specimen Requirements
Patient Preparation: None
Collection Container/Tube:
Preferred: Mint green-top Lithium Heparin (MNTGRN LiHep) tube
Acceptable: Green samplette/microtainer, plain red-top tube, or Lavender-top (EDTA) tube
Submission Container/Tube: If specimen is coming from outside facility and collected in a microtainer, plain red-top tube or lavender-top tube aliquot processed sample into a plastic vial for transport (labeling with specimen type)
Specimen Collection Volume: 1.0 mL (minimum 0.6 mL)
Special Instructions: None
Sample Rejection
Mislabled 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: <5 mcg/mL
Critical Value: ≥5 mcg/mL (all detectable levels)
Toxicity is dependent on both the serum concentration and time since ingestion according to the Rumack-Matthew line.
Every critical test result will be called back automatically.
Methodology
Enzymatic, Colorimetric
Limitations
- NA
Additional Information
FOR SLCH CORE LABORATORY USE ONLY
Lab Processing Instructions: Centrifuge to separate. If specimen is collected in microtainer; plain red-top tube or lavender-top tube aliquot sample into a Roche false-bottom tube for testing (labeling aliquot with specimen type).
Processed Volume: 0.3 mL plasma/serum
Analyte Stability:
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Whole Blood (unprocessed) | Ambient | 4 hours |
| Plasma/Serum (processed) | Refrigerated (preferred) | 2 weeks |
| Ambient | 2 weeks | |
| Frozen | 45 days |
Test Classification and CPT Code
80143
LOINC
3298-7
Last Reviewed
06/2025