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Test Code BTP Beta-Trace Protein, Body Fluid

Additional Codes

Epic Ordering Code LAB3040974
NBS code LBC03002
Service code 36906

Reporting Name

Beta-Trace Protein, BF

Specimen Type

Body Fluid


Additional Testing Requirements


If specimens are collected from multiple sites on the body (ie, left and right), each specimen must be sent under a separate order.



Specimen Required


Specimen Type: Body fluid

Collection Container/Tube:

Preferred: Sterile container, syringe (with needle removed), test tube, or microtube

Acceptable: Plain cotton swab, pledget, gauze, or facial tissue

Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. If submitting a syringe, remove the needle. Add cap to end of syringe.

2. If direct collection is not feasible, specimen may be collected using a plain cotton swab, pledget, gauze or facial tissue.

 a. For gauze or facial tissue: circle area on the gauze where specimen was collected.

 b. For swab, pledget, gauze or facial tissue: place in a small container (plain test tube or sterile container).

3. Do not collect specimen with a culture swab.

4. Do not add any additional liquid other than source to the swab or gauze.

5. Do not collect or send swab or gauze specimens in containers with additional liquids or additives.

Additional Information:

1. Although results may be obtainable on smaller specimens (perhaps as little as 0.05 mL, depending on the protein concentrations and percentage of spinal fluid in the specimen), reliable results are best obtained with an adequate specimen volume.

2.Specimens collected with additives such as microbiology media (eg, Stuart or Amies liquid medium) or TransFix/EDTA (used for analyses in flow cytometry) yield uninterpretable results and will be rejected.


National University Hospital-Singapore Note:

NUH Outreach Laboratories:

Specimen Requirements

Submit only one of the following immediately:

Preferred: Plain Sterile Container

Processing Requirements

Specimen type: Body Fluid

Volume: 0.5 mL
Storage/transport requirements: Refrigerated

Specimen Minimum Volume

See Specimen Required

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Body Fluid Refrigerated (preferred) 14 days
  Frozen  30 days
  Ambient  7 days

Reject Due To

Gross hemolysis OK
Gross lipemia OK
Gross icterus OK
Specimens with additives (eg, microbiology transport media, TransFix/EDTA) Reject

Method Name

Nephelometry

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Friday

Report Available

1 to 3 days
National University Hospital-Singapore Note:

Please note that this is a referral test requiring transport to the external testing facility and an additional 3-5 days is required.

Reference Values

Beta-trace protein concentration <5 mg/L is negative for cerebrospinal fluid

Beta-trace protein concentration 5-7 mg/L is indeterminate for presence of cerebrospinal fluid

Beta-trace protein concentration >7 mg/L is consistent with the presence of cerebrospinal fluid

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Useful For

Determining the presence of cerebrospinal fluid in body fluids

CPT Code Information

83883

LOINC Code Information

Test ID Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
BTP Beta-Trace Protein, BF 57733-8

 

Result ID Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
BTPC Beta-Trace Protein, BF 57733-8

Secondary ID

623088

Test Classification

This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.
National University Hospital-Singapore Additional Information:

Last updated 09/04/2026