Test Code CARN Carnitine, Plasma
Reporting Name
Carnitine, PUseful For
Evaluation of patients with a clinical suspicion of a wide range of conditions including organic acidemias, fatty acid oxidation disorders, and primary carnitine deficiency using plasma specimens
Method Name
Flow Injection Analysis-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (FIA-MS/MS)
Performing Laboratory
 Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
Specimen Type
PlasmaNecessary Information
Patient's age is required.
Specimen Required
Supplies: Sarstedt Aliquot Tube, 5 mL (T914)
Collection Container/Tube:
Preferred: Green top (sodium heparin)
Acceptable: Lavender top (EDTA), green top (lithium heparin)
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL
Collection Instructions: Centrifuge and aliquot plasma into a plastic vial
Specimen Minimum Volume
0.2 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | 
|---|---|---|
| Plasma | Frozen (preferred) | 60 days | 
| Refrigerated | 21 days | |
| Ambient | 7 days | 
Reject Due To
| Gross hemolysis | OK | 
| Gross lipemia | OK | 
| Gross icterus | OK | 
Reference Values
| 
 
  | 
 Total carnitine (TC)  | 
 Free carnitine (FC)  | 
 Acylcarnitine (AC)  | 
 AC/FC Ratio  | 
| 
 Age Group  | 
 Range*  | 
 Range*  | 
 Range*  | 
 Range  | 
| 
 ≤1 day  | 
 23-68  | 
 12-36  | 
 7-37  | 
 0.4-1.7  | 
| 
 2-7 days  | 
 17-41  | 
 10-21  | 
 3-24  | 
 0.2-1.4  | 
| 
 8-31 days  | 
 19-59  | 
 12-46  | 
 4-15  | 
 0.1-0.7  | 
| 
 32 days-12 months  | 
 38-68  | 
 27-49  | 
 7-19  | 
 0.2-0.5  | 
| 
 13 months-6 years  | 
 35-84  | 
 24-63  | 
 4-28  | 
 0.1-0.8  | 
| 
 7-10 years  | 
 28-83  | 
 22-66  | 
 3-32  | 
 0.1-0.9  | 
| 
 11-17 years  | 
 34-77  | 
 22-65  | 
 4-29  | 
 0.1-0.9  | 
| 
 ≥18 years  | 
 34-78  | 
 25-54  | 
 5-30  | 
 0.1-0.8  | 
*Values expressed as nmol/mL
Schmidt-Sommerfeld E, Werner E, Penn D: Carnitine plasma concentrations in 353 metabolically healthy children. Eur J Pediatr. 1988;147:356-360
Used with permission of European Journal of Pediatrics.
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Friday
CPT Code Information
82379
LOINC Code Information
| Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value | 
|---|---|---|
| CARN | Carnitine, P | 97182-0 | 
| Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value | 
|---|---|---|
| 32050 | Total | 14288-5 | 
| 32051 | Free (FC) | 14286-9 | 
| 32052 | Acylcarnitine (AC) | 14282-8 | 
| 21032 | AC/FC Ratio | 30193-7 | 
| 21549 | Interpretation | 59462-2 | 
Test Classification
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.Report Available
3 to 5 daysForms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Biochemical Genetics Test Request (T798) with the specimen.