Methotrexate, Blood - Saskatoon
Discipline
Biochemistry
Overview
Description
- For trough level tests, collect specimen immediately prior to the next dose.
Specimen Information
Specimen types accepted
- Plasma
Specimen collection container
- Preferred collection container: Blood – Light Green (Lithium Heparin gel)
- Alternative collection container: Blood – Gold (gel)
Collection procedure
- Must be protected from light and placed on ice immediately after collection
- Deliver to the laboratory immediately on ice.
Required volume
- Optimal volume: 4.5 mL Full collection tube
- Minimum volume: 1.0 mL
(Submitting the minimum volume makes it impossible to repeat the test or perform confirmatory/reflex testing. In some situations, a minimum volume may require a second collection.)
Transport and stability
- 4 hours on cells
- 24 hours at 2 – 8ºC
Rejection criteria
- Specimens received where the proper collection protocols were not followed
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Acceptance and Rejection Criteria
Testing Information
Relevant clinical history
- Relevant Recent Medication History - Note on requisition the dosage, date and time when medication was given
Performance
Methodology
- Enzyme immunoassay
Days/times performed
Availability |
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Testing site |
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Maximum laboratory time
- In Hospital reported within 2 hours
- Community urgent and inter-hospital reported within 4 hours
- Community routine reported within 24 hours
Specimen retention time
- 3 days
Last Updated: October 3, 2024