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HelpOrder Code SVISC Viscosity, Serum
Specimen Required
Collection Container/Tube: Red top (serum gel/SST are not acceptable)
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 3 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Keep specimen at 37° C (eg, 37° C Thermopak, heat block) until after centrifugation.
2. Centrifuge and aliquot serum into plastic vial.
Useful For
Detection of increased viscosity
Monitoring patients with hyperviscosity syndrome
This test is not useful for patients with small concentrations of monoclonal proteins.
Method Name
Capillary Measurement
Reporting Name
Viscosity, SSpecimen Type
Serum RedSpecimen Minimum Volume
0.75 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serum Red | Refrigerated (preferred) | 28 days | |
| Frozen | 28 days | ||
| Ambient | 14 days |
Reject Due To
| Gross hemolysis | OK |
| Gross lipemia | OK |
| Gross icterus | OK |
Reference Values
≤1.5 centipoises
Method Description
The Benson BV200 automated viscometer employs vacuum pressure through a capillary to measure the dynamic viscosity of serum samples. Samples at ambient temperature are aspirated by the sample probe, which is heated to 37° C. Viscosity results are calculated by the instrument at both 25° C and 37° C temperature points. Viscosity units on board the instrument are mPa.s (milli-pascal seconds), which is the International Standard (SI) unit for viscosity. Centipoise (cP) units are named after French physicist Jean Leonard Marie Poiseuille and are used in the centimeter-gram-second (CGS) system of units. 1 mPa.s is equal to 1 cP.(Instruction manual: BV200 Automated Clinical Viscometer User Manual. Benson Viscometers; Ver. 1.5, 02/2020)
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Friday
Performing Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
CPT Code Information
85810
Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send 1 of the following forms with the specimen: