Home
HelpTest Code LAB5098 Beta-Hydroxybutyrate, 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
Collection Volume: 1.0 mL (minimum 0.6 mL)
Submission Container/Tube: If specimen is coming from outside facility and collected in a microtainer, aliquot processed sample into a plastic vial for transport.
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: | <0.5 mmol/L |
Critical Values: None established
Methodology
Enzymatic quantitation
Limitations
- Gross hemolysis (index >500) can interfere
Additional Information
FOR SLCH CORE LABORATORY USE ONLY
Lab Processing instructions: Centrifuge specimen to separate. If specimen is collected in a microtainer aliquot sample into a Roche false bottom tube for testing
Processed Volume: 0.3 mL plasma
Analyte Stability:
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Whole Blood (unprocessed) | Ambient | NA |
| Plasma (processed) | Refrigerated (preferred) | 7 days |
| Ambient | NA | |
| Frozen | NA |
Test Classification and CPT Code
82010
Test Classification: This test was developed and its performance characteristics deteremined by St. Louis Children's Hospital Laboratory. This test has not been cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
LOINC
NA
Last Reviewed
06/2025