Serotonin Blood Build info

Synonyms

• SEROTONIN, BLOOD
• LAB11004

Procedure Name

SEROTONIN, BLOOD

Procedure Master Number

LAB11004

Procedure ID

114422

Clinical Info

Useful For 
In conjunction with, or as an alternative to, first-order tests in the differential diagnosis of isolated symptoms suggestive of carcinoid syndrome,
in particular flushing (5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid or serum chromogranin A measurements are first-line tests)

Specimen Sources

Specimen Types

Container

Collection Container/Tube: Lavender top (EDTA)
Submission Container/Tube: Serotonin tube containing ascorbic acid

Collection Instructions

Container/Tube: Serotonin Tube
Collection Instructions:
1. Immediately after collection, transfer approximately 2.5 mL of whole blood to the serotonin tube and mix well
 (any volume of whole blood from 1.5-3 mL is acceptable).
2. Immediately freeze specimen (necessary to lyse the red blood cells). 

Specimen Volume

 Specimen Volume: 2.5 mL

Transport Instructions

Frozen Temperature

Specimen Stability

Whole Blood EDTA Frozen 90 days in SEROTONIN TUBE

Methodology

Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)

Days Performed

TAT 6-9 Days

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Medical Laboratories

CPT

84260
LOINC Code: 2939-7

PDM

Only Orderable at Locations:

Results

Result Interpretation

Reference Values:  < or =330 ng/mL

Patient Preparation: Patient should not take medications that may elevate serotonin levels, including lithium, 
monoamine oxidase inhibitors, methyldopa, morphine, and reserpine, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI, eg, PROZAC)
which can lead to depletion of platelet serotonin levels and result in false-negative serotonin results for a minimum 
of 72 hours before specimen collection. Some drugs with longer half-lives (i.e. fluoxetine) can require months 
after discontinuation for serotonin levels to return to baseline.

Forms