Carbamazepine and Metabolite, Total
Test Code
Clinical Significance
Carbamazepine and Metabolite, Total - Carbamazepine and its metabolite (10,11-carbamazepine epoxide) are widely used for control of generalized tonic-clonic, partial-onset, complex and mixed seizure disorders. The metabolism of carbamazepine in epileptic patients has several different pathways that can be altered when the patient is co-medicated with other anticonvulsants and, therefore, it's therapeutic level should be monitored along with its metabolite in their free and protein bound states.
Test Resources
Test Details
Methodology
Reference Range(s)
| Carbamazepine, Total | 4.0-12.0 mcg/mL | |
| Carbamazepine Metabolite, Total | 0.2-2.0 mcg/mL | |
Preferred Specimen(s)
2 mL serum collected in a red-top tube (no gel)
Alternative Specimen(s)
Plasma collected in: EDTA (lavender-top) tube
Minimum Volume
0.7 mL
Collection Instructions
The use of serum separator tube (SST) is not recommended.
Obtain serum by drawing blood into an evacuated tube without anticoagulant and with a non-coated interior. Allow 20 minutes for clotting. Centrifuge and immediately separate serum or plasma specimens from the cells into clean, plastic transport tube.
Transport Container
Transport tube
Transport Temperature
Room temperature
Specimen Stability
- Room temperature: 14 days
- Refrigerated: 14 days
- Frozen: 10 months
Reject Criteria
Serum separator tube (SST)
Setup Schedule
Obtain serum by drawing blood into an evacuated tube without anticoagulant and with a non-coated interior. Allow 20 minutes for clotting. Centrifuge and immediately separate serum or plasma specimens from the cells into clean, plastic transport tube.
Refrigerated: 14 days
Frozen: 10 months