Very Long Chain Fatty Acids (Blood)

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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

4 mL EDTA Blood (Preferred), 4 mL Heparin Blood, 1 mL Paediatric Micro-heparin Blood, 1 mL Paediatric Micro-EDTA Blood. If collecting White Cell (Leucocyte Lysosomal) Enzymes as well then collect all blood into EDTA tubes. Fasting sample is recommended. For infants, pre-feeding sample is preferred .

Transport

Keep cool and freeze (-20C) if not sent to the laboratory within 4 hours.

Registration

BGA

Separating

If also requested for White Cell Enzymes, do not separate plasma, leave all EDTA tubes at room temperature and refer to White Cell Enzymes handling. EDTA or Heparin - Separate plasma - 0.3mL minimum Place two points of ID on aliquot tube - Place in freezer 35 at all times in Biochemical Genetics shelf.

Laboratory

LabPLUS Biochemical Genetics

Sample Stability

Stability (from Mayo clinic): Plasma frozen 92days. Refrigerated 72 hrs.

Synonyms

Very Long Chain Fatty Acids, ALD, peroxisomal

Turnaround Time

3 weeks

Specimen Type

  • Plasma

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred
  • EDTA (Lavender Cap)
Acceptable
  • Lithium Heparin - Non-gel (Green Cap)
Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

4

Minimum Sample Volume (ml)

2

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred
  • EDTA (Microtainer)
  • Heparin (Microtainer)
Acceptable
  • EDTA (Microtainer)
  • Heparin (Microtainer)
Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

1

Pre-testing Requirements

Fasting sample is recommended.
For infants, pre-feeding sample is preferred.

Additional Specimen Information

Laboratory Notes:
If also requested for White Cell Enzymes, do not separate plasma, leave all EDTA tubes at room temperature and refer to White Cell Enzymes handling.

EDTA or Heparin - Separate plasma - 0.3mL minimum
Place two points of ID on aliquot tube - Place in freezer 35 at all times in Biochemical Genetics shelf.
Do not confuse with Free fatty acids - to Christchurch
or Essential Fatty acids - to Brisbane via Waikato Lab

Non-fasting samples are acceptable
Stability (Mayo clinic):

Plasma frozen 92days
Refrigerated 72 hrs

Last updated: 18/08/2026