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HelpOrder Code LABCARF Carbamazepine, Free, Serum
Additional Codes
Mayo Test Code: CARF
EPIC Test Code: LABCARF
Useful For
Monitoring unbound or free carbamazepine levels in patients where the total carbamazepine result is within the therapeutic range, but the patient is experiencing side effects
Monitoring carbamazepine (free) therapy in patients who are uremic
Method Name
Ultrafiltration followed by Homogeneous Microparticle Agglutination Immunoassay
Reporting Name
Carbamazepine, Free, SSpecimen Type
Serum RedSpecimen Required
Collection Container/Tube: Red top (serum gel/SST are not acceptable)
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 2 mL
Collection Instructions: Centrifuge and aliquot serum into a plastic vial within 2 hours of collection.
Specimen Minimum Volume
1 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Serum Red | Refrigerated (preferred) | 7 days |
| Frozen | 28 days | |
| Ambient | 48 hours |
Reject Due To
| Gross hemolysis | Reject |
Reference Values
Therapeutic concentration: 1.0-3.0 mcg/mL
Critical value: ≥4.0 mcg/mL
Method Description
Free carbamazepine is isolated from serum by ultrafiltration.
The ONLINE TDM Carbamazepine Gen.4 assay is a homogeneous microparticle agglutination immunoassay. It is a 2-reagent system used for the detection of carbamazepine in serum. Kinetic interaction of microparticles will be measured using automated analyzers. In this technology, biotinylated drug hapten attached to streptavidin-coated latex beads serves as the binding partner to anti-carbamazepine antibody. A competitive reaction to a limited amount of specific anti-carbamazepine antibody takes place between the latex-bound hapten and free carbamazepine in the serum sample. A decrease in the apparent signal is proportional to the amount of drug present in the sample.(Package insert: Carbamazepine reagent. Roche Diagnostics; 09/2021)
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Sunday
Performing Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
CPT Code Information
80157
Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Therapeutics Test Request (T831) with the specimen.