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HelpTest Code FRFATSO Free Fatty Acids, Total, Serum
Additional Codes
Mayo Test Code: NEFA
Reporting Name
Free Fatty Acids, Total, SUseful For
Evaluation of metabolic status of patients with endocrinopathies
Monitoring of control of diabetes mellitus
Monitoring the effects of therapeutic diet/exercise lifestyle changes
Performing Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
Specimen Type
SerumSpecimen Required
Patient Preparation:
1. Fasting: 12 hours, required
2. Patient must not consume any alcohol for 24 hours before the specimen is collected.
3. Patient should not be receiving therapeutic heparin.
Collection Container/Tube:
Preferred: Serum gel
Acceptable: Red top
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 1 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Within 45 minutes of collection, centrifuge and aliquot 1 mL of serum into a plastic vial.
2. Immediately freeze specimen.
Specimen Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Serum | Frozen | 7 days |
Reference Values
≥18 years: 0.00-0.72 mmol/L
Reference values have not been established for patients who are <18 years of age.
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Friday
Test Classification
This test has been cleared, approved, or is exempt by the US Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.CPT Code Information
82725
LOINC Code Information
| Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| NEFA | Free Fatty Acids, Total, S | 15066-4 |
| Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| NEFA | Free Fatty Acids, Total, S | 15066-4 |
Cautions
Patients receiving therapeutic heparin are unsuitable for this analysis. Heparin causes the release of free fatty acids by stimulating the activity of lipoprotein lipase, which causes triglycerides associated with blood lipoproteins to release free fatty acids.
In order to eliminate the generation of free fatty acids from triglycerides by serum lipases (causing erroneous elevations), serum should be frozen as soon as possible after it is collected and shipped frozen.
Report Available
1 to 3 daysSpecimen Retention Time
7 daysReject Due To
| Gross hemolysis | Reject |
| Gross lipemia | Reject |
| Gross icterus | Reject |
Method Name
Enzymatic Colorimetric
Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Cardiovascular Test Request Form (T724) with the specimen.