Acylcarnitine (Dried Blood Spot)

Testing Laboratory

Auckland Te Toka Tumai | Auckland Hospital

Department

Chemical Pathology

Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)

BGA

Test Code (Numeric Code)

6290

Laboratory Handling

Phlebotomy

1 Spot Guthrie Card Blood (Always Required). Please ensure a lab request form comes with the sample.

Transport

Dried Blood Spots to be left at ambient temperatures.

Registration

BGA

Laboratory

LabPLUS Biochemical Genetics

Sample Stability

These can be tested and remain stable for 2 weeks. Record any delays on the request form.

Associated Tests

• Acylcarnitine (Blood)
• Organic Acids (Urine)

Synonyms

DBS Free carnitine and Total acylcarnitine, Carnitine (Dry Blood Spot)

Turnaround Time

10 days

Turnaround Time: Between 1 week and 1 week, 3 days Urgent analysis available if required. The request must come through the metabolic physician-on-call.

Specimen Type

• Guthries Card

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• N/A

Acceptable

• N/A

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• N/A

Acceptable

• N/A

Additional Specimen Information

An alternative sample is plasma, see Plasma Carnitine.

Aliquot Instructions

Sample Type

• Whole Blood

Transport to Lab

Ambient (8 - 24 degrees Celsius)

Additional Referral/Aliquot Information

Collect sample directly onto Guthrie: Ensure each circle is COMPLETELY filled to the outside before starting to fill the next circle. It is better to collect 2 or 3 FULL spots rather than to spot each circle incompletely.
Please air dry at least 2hrs before sending. Sample is stable once dried.

Place DRIED CARD and copy of request form in a paper envelope NOT plastic sample bag.

Test Method

Tandem mass spectrometry

Limitations / Interference

It is not usually critical to perform the test when the patient is acutely unwell.

Uncertainty of Measurement

Please contact the Biochemical Genetics Clinical Scientist or Pathologist to discuss sources of test uncertainty such as but not limited to measurement uncertainty and biological variation.

Contact Information