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Test Code LAB5755 Lactate/Pyruvate Panel, CSF

Performing Laboratory

St. Louis Children's Hospital Laboratory - Chemistry

Specimen Requirements

Patient Preparation: None

Collection Container/Tube:

Preferred/Acceptable: Perchloric acid (PCA) Vacutainer. Call lab at 314-454-6130 for special PCA collection tube if needed

Collection Volume: 1.0 mL
NOTE: minimum of 0.5 mL CSF may be used but MUST call lab to get an adjusted PCA tube for reduced volume collection. 

Submission Container/Tube: If specimen is coming from outside facility: Label aliquot as "PCA aliquot". If specimen cannot be received at SLCH lab within 6 hours, refrigerate aliquot and send on wet ice

Special Collection Instructions: 

1. Call lab at 314-454-6130 or 314-454-4268 to have PCA tube sent for collection.

2. Collect exactly 1.0 mL of CSF and place in PCA tube.

3. Invert tube 8-10 times to mix PCA and CSF.

4. Deliver to lab promptly. DO NOT send thru pneumatic tube system

 

Sample Rejection

Specimens with incorrect volume of CSF to PCA ratio

CSF specimens containing any red blood cells or hemolysis that are NOT mixed with PCA at collection site

Mislabeled or unlabeled specimens

Logistics

Test Availability: Monday-Friday

Cut-off time: None

Turnaround Time: 1-3 Days; results available day of testing

Reference Values

Reference Interval: 

Lactate: 1.1-2.3 mmol/L                   
Pyruvate: 0.03-0.11 mmol/L                                                                         

Critical Value:

Lactate: >8.0 mmol/L
Pyruvate: None established                                                       

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

 

Methodology

Enzymatic

Limitations

  • This assay does not measure D(-) Lactate. The enzyme used is L(+) lactate dehydrogenase.

Additional Information

FOR SLCH CORE LABORATORY USE ONLY

Lab Processing Instructions: Centrifuge to separate. Aliquot sample into a Roche false-bottom tube for testing. Refrigerate if received after cut-off time.

Processed Volume: remove all the supernatant without getting any of the cellular component. A minimum of 0.3 supernatant is required.

Analyte Stability:

Specimen Type Temperature Time
unprocessed Ambient must be treated with PCA immediately   
processed PCA supernatant    Refrigerated (preferred)     
            Lactate: 8 days
            Pyruvate: 2 days   
  Ambient  NA
  Frozen   
            Lactate: NA
           Pyruvate: DO NOT freeze   

 

NOTE: specimen may also be collected with 0.5 mL of CSF but MUST be added and mixed in an adjusted PCA tube with only 1.0 mL of perchloric acid. If floor calls for PCA tube for smaller blood collection (0.5 mL), make a PCA tube and label as adjusted tube.

If CSF specimen is NOT placed in PCA tube at collection site, reject if specimen has any blood present. If clear, you may call Medical Director to see if able to add to PCA tube in lab.

 

Test Classification and CPT Code

83605: Lactate

84210: Pyruvate

LOINC

Lactate: 2524-7

Pyruvate: 14121-8

Last Reviewed

06/2025