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Test Code LAB2844 Beta-OH-Butyrate

Important Note

If STAT BOHB is ordered, Lt. Green/Mint Top Lithium Heparin, Dark Green/Sodium Heparin, or Lt. Green/Li Heparin Microtainer is preferred for fastest results. Gold SST and Gold Microtainers will delay turn around time.

Clinical System Name

Beta-Hydroxybutyrate

Synonyms

LAB2844

BHBT/BOHB

B-Hydroxybutyrate
Ketones

Sample Requirements

Specimen:  Whole Blood

Container(s): Lt. Green/Mint Top Lithium Heparin, Lt. Green/Lithium Heparin Microtainer, Dark Green/Sodium Heparin, Gold SST, Gold Microtainer, Red

Preferred Vol: 1.0 mL

Minimum Vol: 0.5 mL

 

Note:  Lipemia and hemolysis do not interfere.

Processing Instructions

Reject due to:  Age of specimen

Spin: Y

Aliquot: Y

Storage location: Core 5 Chemistry Refrigerator

 

Off-site collection: Specimen should be centrifuged within 2 hours of collection. Spin blood and transfer serum or plasma to plastic tube and refrigerate or freeze.

Stability

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Serum or Plasma RT

≤ 2 h
Serum or Plasma 2-8 C

≤ 7 d
Serum or Plasma -20 C or -70 C

≤ 7 d

Availability

STAT Performed TAT
Y 24/7 1 h

Performing Laboratory

Seattle Children's Laboratory    

Department

Department:  Core Chemistry

Phone Number: 206-987-2617 (Client Services)

CPT Codes

82010

Methodology

Method: Enzymatic Rate Reaction by Vitros 4600

Analytical Volume: 0.2 mL serum or plasma

Reference Range

Age mmol/L
0-4 Y 0 - 0.40
5-18 Y 0 - 0.30
> 18 Y 0 - 0.20

 

Pediatric reference ranges were established in house 3/19/1998.

Adult reference range provided by UW.

Description

Metabolism of free fatty acids results in the formation of acetoacetic acid, most of which (about 78%) is converted to BHBT. Unchanged acetoacetic acid and small amounts of acetone are found in the circulation. All three are referred to as ketone bodies. When carbohydrates are unavailable for metabolism, fat metabolism is greatly increased, resulting in elevated serum ketones. Conditions in which this occurs include uncontrolled diabetes, starvation or fasting, glycogen storage disorders, and a ketogenic diet which is used to prevent seizures in children who are poorly controlled with drug therapy alone. Traditional measurement of serum ketones only detects acetoacetic acid, making it a relatively insensitive measure of total ketones.