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

Serotonin measurement is used in conjunction with urinary
5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) and/or serum
chromogranin A in the diagnosis of carcinoid syndrome.

Specimen Type

Blood

Container

Lavender Top Tube

Collection Instructions

Container/Tube: Lavender (EDTA) Top Tube
Specimen: Full Tube 10 mL EDTA/ascorbic acid mixture (see Collection below)
Transport Temperature: 4 Hours Room Temperature
24 Hours Refrigerated
16 Days Frozen
Collection
Sample collection practices that prevent blood clotting and
oxidation of serotonin are imperative. Collect three tubes (4 mL each)
whole blood. Invert tubes at least ten times to ensure thorough
distribution of EDTA. Immediately transfer 10 mL whole blood to transport
tube containing 75 mg ascorbic acid. Thoroughly mix by inverting whole
blood/ascorbic acid mixture another ten times. Freeze transport tube and
send entire collection to the laboratory
Patient Preparation
Monoamine oxidase inhibitor drugs should be discontinued for at least
one week prior to sampling since they tend to increase the level of serotonin.

Transport Instructions

4 Hours Room Temperature

Specimen Stability

Methodology

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

Days Performed

Monday, Wednesday, Friday; 10 a.m.

Performing Laboratory

LabCorp Burlington, NC

CPT

84260
LOINC Code: 2939-7

PDM

5901780

Result Interpretation

Age (y)	Male (ng/mL)	Female (ng/mL)
0−12 y	84−376	84−376
13−17 y	42−292	42−292
>17 y	56−248	56−248

Forms