Lab Dept:

Chemistry

Test Name:

METHEMOGLOBIN

General Information

Lab Order Codes:

MHGB

Synonyms:

N/A

CPT Codes:

83050 – Hemoglobin; methemoglobin, quantitative

Test Includes:

Methemoglobin concentration reported in per cent.

Logistics

Test Indications:

When the iron in hemoglobin is oxidized to the trivalent state, the resulting brownish pigment is methemoglobin. This form of hemoglobin cannot bind to oxygen.

Lab Testing Sections:

Chemistry

Phone Numbers:

Minneapolis:

Saint Paul:

612-813-6280

651-220-6550

Test Availability:

Daily, 24 hours

Turnaround Time:

1 hour

Special Instructions:

See Container for special container recommendations. See Collection for special draw requirements.

Specimen

Specimen Type:

Whole blood

Container:

Preferred: Sims Portex^® syringe (PB151) or Smooth-E syringe (956-463) Accepted: Radiometer Balanced Heparin Capillary gas tubes

Draw Volume:

0.4 mL (Minimum: 0.2 mL syringe, 0.1 mL capillary) blood

Processed Volume:

0.2 mL syringe blood, 0.1 mL capillary blood

Collection:

Routine venipuncture using one of the collection containers listed above. Immediately remove all air form syringe, remove needle, cap tightly, and mix. Send in original tube. Forward promptly. Do not expose specimen to air.

Special Processing:

Lab Staff: Deliver the Methemoglobin syringe/cap gas tube immediately to the lab testing station. Specimen should be analyzed within 1 hour of collection or stored on ice if testing is delayed.

Patient Preparation:

None

Sample Rejection:

Mislabeled or unlabelled specimens; samples containing air; samples collected in containers not recommended; specimens older than 1 hour; clotted samples

Interpretive

Reference Range:

0.0 - 1.5%

Critical Values:

N/A

Limitations:

This method may not detect M-hemoglobins.

Methodology:

Oximetry

References:

ABL 700 Series Operator Manual (November 2003) Edition L, Code number: 989-432

ABL 700 Series Reference Manual (November 2003) Edition J, Code number: 989-312