Serotonin Blood SERO

Synonyms

Allscripts (AEHR) Order Name

Serotonin, Whole Blood

Sunrise Clinical Manager (SCM) Order Name

Serotonin, Blood

EPIC Order Name

Serotonin Blood

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 Type

Blood

Specimen Volume

 Specimen Volume: 2.5 mL

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). 

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

5901780

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