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Lab Dept:
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Chemistry
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Test Name:
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VALPROIC ACID, FREE, LEVEL
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General Information
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Lab Order Codes:
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FVPA
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Synonyms:
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Unbound Depakene; Depakane; Depakote; Dipropylacetic acid; VPA, Divalproex; Valproate
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CPT Codes:
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80164 – Dipropylacetic acid (valproic acid)
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Test Includes:
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Free valproic acid concentration reported in ug/mL.
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Logistics
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Test Indications:
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Valproic acid is used for treatment of seizures. Valproic acid may be used in conjunction with other antiepileptics against tonic-clonic and partial seizures. Peak levels are reached in 1-4 hours. The biologic half-life is about 15 hours.
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Lab Testing Sections:
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Chemistry - Sendouts
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Phone Numbers:
Minneapolis:
Saint Paul:
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612-813-6280
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651-220-6550
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Test Availability:
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Daily, 24 hours
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Turnaround Time:
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4 – 6 hours for Stat, 1 day for Routine
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Special Instructions:
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N/A
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Specimen
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Specimen Type:
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Blood
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Container:
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Red top tube preferred
Alternate tube: Green top (Li Heparin) tube
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Draw Volume:
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9 mL (Minimum: 3 mL) blood
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Processed Volume:
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3 mL (Minimum: 1.0 mL) serum/plasma
Note: Submission of the minimum volume does not allow for repeat analysis and may result in a QNS (quantity not sufficient) test result.
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Collection:
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Routine venipuncture. Mix tubes containing anticoagulant by gentle inversion.
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Special Processing:
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Lab Staff: Centrifuge specimen, remove serum/plasma aliquot into a plastic sample cup. Store at refrigerated temperatures.
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Patient Preparation:
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None
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Sample Rejection:
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Unlabeled specimen, specimens other than heparinized plasma or serum
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Interpretive
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Reference Range:
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Therapeutic concentration: 6 - 20 ug/mL
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Critical Values:
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Toxic concentration: >=40 ug/mL
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Limitations:
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Reporting Limit: 2.0 ug/ml
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Methodology:
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Ultrafiltration, Immunoassy (IA)
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References:
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Medtox Laboratories Web Page May 2010
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Updates:
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5/6/2010: CPT update, previously reported as 83520.
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