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Synonyms
- Pyruvate
Expected Turnaround Time
2 - 4 days
Turnaround time is defined as the usual number of days from the date of pickup of a specimen for testing to when the result is released to the ordering provider. In some cases, additional time should be allowed for additional confirmatory or additional reflex tests. Testing schedules may vary.
Related Documents
Specimen Requirements
Specimen
Perchloric acid supernatant from oxalated whole blood
Volume
0.5 mL (clear supernatant)
Minimum Volume
0.2 mL (clear supernatant) (Note:This volume does not allow for repeat testing.)
Container
Gray-top (potassium oxalate/sodium fluoride) tube and one LabCorp 8% perchloric acid tube
Collection
Draw blood into chilled gray-top tube. Immediately after blood is drawn, add 2 mL of whole blood from the gray-top tube to 2 mL of 8% perchloric acid (PeopleSoft No. 111749) (7 mL of 70% perchloric acid diluted to 100 mL with deionized water). Note: Use 1:1 blood (ie, equal parts) to 8% perchloric ratio if less blood is obtained. Shake mixture vigorously for about 30 seconds. Refrigerate for five minutes to ensure complete protein precipitation. Centrifuge 5 to 10 minutes at approximately 1500xg. Immediately transfer the clear supernatant to a transport tube. Label the transport tube as "supernatant" and send to the laboratory. Note: A second centrifugation of the supernatant may be necessary to obtain a clear protein-free solution.
Storage Instructions
Maintain the perchloric acid supernatant refrigerated.
Stability Requirements
Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
Room temperature | 5 days |
Refrigerated | 7 days |
Frozen | 7 days |
Freeze/thaw cycles | Stable x3 |
Patient Preparation
Patient should be in a fasting and resting state (should not exercise).
Causes for Rejection
Whole blood received; gray-top tube not prepared with perchloric acid
Test Details
Use
Increased pyruvic acid levels have been associated with diabetes mellitus, vitamin deficiencies, uremia, congestive heart failure, liver diseases, muscular dystrophy, thiamine deficiency, and neoplastic conditions. Pyruvic acid is useful in assessing oxygen deprivation and provides an index of the severity of circulatory failure.
Limitations
There appears to be no adequate means of preserving the pyruvic acid level (including the use of sodium fluoride), except immediate precipitation of blood proteins. Because of the time required to obtain serum or plasma from drawn blood, the pyruvic acid values observed with plasma are likely to be different from the true initial values; therefore, the use of whole blood with subsequent protein precipitation for pyruvic acid determination is recommended.
Methodology
Pyruvate − lactate; spectrophotometry
Reference Interval
0.3−0.7 mg/dL
Aftercare
Solutions of perchloric acid can become explosive if allowed to dry. Always rinse glassware and working surfaces copiously with water.
LOINC® Map
| Order Code | Order Code Name | Order Loinc | Result Code | Result Code Name | UofM | Result LOINC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 004788 | Pyruvic Acid, Blood | 2905-8 | 004788 | Pyruvic Acid, Blood | mg/dL | 2905-8 |
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CPT Statement/Profile Statement
The LOINC® codes are copyright © 1994-2021, Regenstrief Institute, Inc. and the Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) Committee. Permission is granted in perpetuity, without payment of license fees or royalties, to use, copy, or distribute the LOINC® codes for any commercial or non-commercial purpose, subject to the terms under the license agreement found at https://loinc.org/license/. Additional information regarding LOINC® codes can be found at LOINC.org, including the LOINC Manual, which can be downloaded at LOINC.org/downloads/files/LOINCManual.pdf