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HelpTest Code LAB3489 Telomere Length
Additional Codes
TLMR LNGTH
Clinical System Name
Telomere Length
Description
Requests for telomere length measurements are typically from physicians curious to know whether the clinical problems of their patients could be related to cellular defects resulting from extremely short telomeres. Flow-FISH measurements have been shown to be valuable as a screening test for inherited telomere maintenance deficiencies resulting from mutations in dyskerin, telomerase RNA (hTERC), telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) and other genes.
Sample Requirements
Specimen: Whole Blood
Container(s): Lavender/EDTA (Infants or Children) or Yellow/ACD (Adults)
Preferred Vol: See Below
- Adults: 12.0 mL - 18.0 mL in Yellow/ACD
- Infants and Children: 3.0 mL Minimum in Lavender/EDTA
Minimum Vol: See Above
Note: Sunday 1100 - Thursday 1400 collection only. Deliver to the Lab immediately. Keep specimens at room temperature. Receipt preferred within 24 hours of collection, but is acceptable up to 72 hours, especially in ACD tubes.
Samples will be rejected if blood tubes are not filled properly, if blood is received >72 hours
of collection or if blood was not stored at room temperature.
Processing Instructions
Reject due to:
Spin: N
Aliquot: N
Temp: RT
Storage Location: Affix large Epic label(s) to tube(s) and place in the room temperature Send Outs rack.
Off-site Collection: No off-site collection.
Stability
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Whole Blood | Room Temp | 48 h |
Availability
| STAT | TAT |
|---|---|
| N | 3-4 w |
Performing Laboratory
Johns Hopkins Genomics - MDL
1812 Ashland Ave, Room 245
Baltimore, MD 21205
Phone Number: (410) 955-8363
Department
Department: Send Outs
Phone Number: (206) 987-2563
Reference Range
Interpretive report is provided.
Methodology
Method: Flow Cytometry and Fluorescence in situ Hybridization (flowFISH)
Reports telomere length in peripheral blood lymphocytes and granulocytes.
Analytical Volume: See "Sample Requirements" section.
Limitations:
Clinical Utility
Send Out Instructions
| Reference Test Name: | Telomere Length Testing |
| Reference Test Number: | None Specified |
| Instructions: |
Must arrive within 48 hours of collection. Ship via FedEx Priority Overnight for delivery Tuesday through Friday. |