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HelpTest Code CARN Carnitine, Plasma
Additional Codes
| Epic Ordering Code | LAB3040905 |
| NBS code | LBC03583 |
| Service code | 36624 |
Reporting Name
Carnitine, PSpecimen Type
PlasmaNecessary Information
Patient's age is required.
Specimen Required
Supplies: Sarstedt Aliquot Tube, 5 mL (T914)
Collection Container/Tube:
Preferred: Green top (sodium heparin)
Acceptable: Lavender top (EDTA), green top (lithium heparin)
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL Plasma
Collection Instructions: Centrifuge and aliquot plasma into a plastic vial
NUH Outreach Laboratories:
Specimen Requirements
Submit only one of the following:
Preferred: Dark Green Top (Na Heparin)
Acceptable: Purple Top
Processing Requirements
Centrifuge and aliquot plasma into a plastic vial.
Specimen type: Plasma
Volume: 1 mL
Storage/transport requirements: Refrigerated
Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Biochemical Genetics Test Request (T798) with the specimen.
Specimen Minimum Volume
Plasma: 0.2 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Plasma | Frozen (preferred) | 60 days |
| Refrigerated | 21 days | |
| Ambient | 7 days |
Reject Due To
| Gross hemolysis | OK |
| Gross lipemia | OK |
| Gross icterus | OK |
Method Name
Flow Injection Analysis-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (FIA-MS/MS)
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Friday
Report Available
3 to 5 daysPlease note that this is a referral test requiring transport to the external testing facility and an additional 3-5 days is required.
Reference Values
|
|
Total carnitine (TC) |
Free carnitine (FC) |
Acylcarnitine (AC) |
AC/FC Ratio |
|
Age Group |
Range* |
Range* |
Range* |
Range |
|
≤1 day |
23-68 |
12-36 |
7-37 |
0.4-1.7 |
|
2-7 days |
17-41 |
10-21 |
3-24 |
0.2-1.4 |
|
8-31 days |
19-59 |
12-46 |
4-15 |
0.1-0.7 |
|
32 days-12 months |
38-68 |
27-49 |
7-19 |
0.2-0.5 |
|
13 months-6 years |
35-84 |
24-63 |
4-28 |
0.1-0.8 |
|
7-10 years |
28-83 |
22-66 |
3-32 |
0.1-0.9 |
|
11-17 years |
34-77 |
22-65 |
4-29 |
0.1-0.9 |
|
≥18 years |
34-78 |
25-54 |
5-30 |
0.1-0.8 |
*Values expressed as nmol/mL
Schmidt-Sommerfeld E, Werner E, Penn D. Carnitine plasma concentrations in 353 metabolically healthy children. Eur J Pediatr. 1988;147(4):356-360
Used with permission of European Journal of Pediatrics.
LOINC Code Information
| Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| CARN | Carnitine, P | 97182-0 |
| Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| 32050 | Total | 14288-5 |
| 32051 | Free (FC) | 14286-9 |
| 32052 | Acylcarnitine (AC) | 14282-8 |
| 21032 | AC/FC Ratio | 30193-7 |
| 21549 | Interpretation | 59462-2 |
CPT Code Information
82379
Performing Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
Useful For
Evaluation of patients with a clinical suspicion of a wide range of conditions including organic acidemias, fatty acid oxidation disorders, and primary carnitine deficiency using plasma specimens
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.Last updated 07/07/2026