SST™ / HEMOGARD™ Gel Activator and Clot (Gold Top tube)
Collect
SST, Gold top tube (preferred); Plasma, Lavender (EDTA) top tube acceptable
Specimen Preparation
Collect and Send ON ICE.
Storage/Transport Temperature
On ice
Stability (from collection to initiation)
Must be separated within 6 hours of collection. After separation, freeze serum or plasma immediately to preserve stability. Separated serum or plasma is stable for 14 days refrigerated (2-8C) and 1 year frozen (-20C).
Unacceptable Conditions
Grossly hemolyzed specimens
Processing - HUP
Performed in Endocrinology Lab. Spin 1000-1300 G for 10 minutes, separate and freeze serum or EDTA plasma.
Processing - PAH
Performed in HUP Endocrinology Lab. Spin 1000-1300 G for 10 minutes, separate and freeze serum or EDTA plasma. Send specimen frozen.
Processing - Presbyterian
Performed in HUP Endocrinology Lab. Spin 1000-1300 G for 10 minutes, separate and freeze serum or EDTA plamsa. Send specimen frozen.
Processing - HUP Cedar
Performed in HUP Endocrinology Lab. Spin 1000-1300 G for 10 minutes, separate and freeze serum or EDTA plamsa. Send specimen frozen.
Reference Interval
4 – 12 µmol/L
Clinical Significance
HyHyperhomocysteinemia is caused by nutritional and genetic deficiencies. The majority of elevated homocysteine cases (two-thirds) in the general population are due to deficiency of folic acid, vitamin B6 or vitamin B12.
Studies have investigated the relationship between elevated homocysteine concentrations and cardiovascular disease (CVD), indicating homocysteine as an important marker for risk assessment. In the presence of known coronary artery disease (CAD), it has been shown to be a strong independent marker of subsequent CAD-related death. A study conducted on 1933 elderly men and women from the Framingham Heart Study cohort demonstrated that elevated levels of homocysteine are independently
associated with increased rates of all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality. In intermediate risk patients, elevated homocysteine levels are associated with the quantity of coronary artery calcification. Elevated homocysteine levels in these patients are independent of coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors.
SST™ / HEMOGARD™ Gel Activator and Clot (Gold Top tube)
Collect
SST, Gold top tube (preferred); Plasma, Lavender (EDTA) top tube acceptable
Specimen Preparation
Collect and Send ON ICE.
Storage/Transport Temperature
On ice
Stability (from collection to initiation)
Must be separated within 6 hours of collection. After separation, freeze serum or plasma immediately to preserve stability. Separated serum or plasma is stable for 14 days refrigerated (2-8C) and 1 year frozen (-20C).
Unacceptable Conditions
Grossly hemolyzed specimens
CR&P Information
Processing - HUP
Performed in Endocrinology Lab. Spin 1000-1300 G for 10 minutes, separate and freeze serum or EDTA plasma.
Processing - PAH
Performed in HUP Endocrinology Lab. Spin 1000-1300 G for 10 minutes, separate and freeze serum or EDTA plasma. Send specimen frozen.
Processing - Presbyterian
Performed in HUP Endocrinology Lab. Spin 1000-1300 G for 10 minutes, separate and freeze serum or EDTA plamsa. Send specimen frozen.
Processing - HUP Cedar
Performed in HUP Endocrinology Lab. Spin 1000-1300 G for 10 minutes, separate and freeze serum or EDTA plamsa. Send specimen frozen.
Result Interpretation
Reference Interval
4 – 12 µmol/L
Clinical Significance
HyHyperhomocysteinemia is caused by nutritional and genetic deficiencies. The majority of elevated homocysteine cases (two-thirds) in the general population are due to deficiency of folic acid, vitamin B6 or vitamin B12.
Studies have investigated the relationship between elevated homocysteine concentrations and cardiovascular disease (CVD), indicating homocysteine as an important marker for risk assessment. In the presence of known coronary artery disease (CAD), it has been shown to be a strong independent marker of subsequent CAD-related death. A study conducted on 1933 elderly men and women from the Framingham Heart Study cohort demonstrated that elevated levels of homocysteine are independently
associated with increased rates of all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality. In intermediate risk patients, elevated homocysteine levels are associated with the quantity of coronary artery calcification. Elevated homocysteine levels in these patients are independent of coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors.
