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Test Directory

Serotonin, Serum

Test Summary

Serotonin concentrations are greatly increased in patients with carcinoid syndrome. Carcinoid tumors are associated with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia (MEN) Types I and II. These tumors are associated with flushing, diarrhea, pain, and other symptoms.

Aliases

  • N/A

Specimen Collection

Special Instructions

N/A

Preferred Specimen

2 mL frozen serum

Minimum Volume

1 mL

Instructions

Spin and freeze serum below -20° C within 2 hours after collection.

Patient Preparation

Patient should avoid foods high in indoles: avocado, banana, tomato, plum, walnut, pineapple, and eggplant. Patient should also avoid tobacco, tea, and coffee for 3 days before specimen collection.

Storage

Plastic screw-cap vial

Transport Temperature

Frozen

Specimen Stability

  • Room temperature: Unacceptable
  • Refrigerated: Unacceptable
  • Frozen: 42 days

Limitations

N/A

Other Acceptable Specimens

N/A

Unacceptable Specimens

Received refrigerated • Received room temperature

Order Code

SEROTS

EPIC (Premier) Code

LAB3381

Includes

N/A

CPT Code

  • 84260

Billing Code

  • 670474

CPT Statement

Methodology

Liquid Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS/MS)

FDA Status

This test was developed and its analytical performance characteristics have been determined by Quest Diagnostics. It has not been cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The FDA has determined that such clearance or approval is not necessary. This assay has been validated pursuant to the CLIA regulations and is used for clinical purposes.

Physician Attestation of Informed Consent

N/A

Testing Laboratory

Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute
33608 Ortega Highway
San Juan Capistrano CA, 92675

Department

Reference Testing

Reference Range

56-244 ng/mL

Setup Schedule / Expected Turnaround Time

Monday - Friday; Report available: 4 - 6 days

Specimen Collection

Special Instructions

N/A

Preferred Specimen

2 mL frozen serum

Minimum Volume

1 mL

Instructions

Spin and freeze serum below -20° C within 2 hours after collection.

Patient Preparation

Patient should avoid foods high in indoles: avocado, banana, tomato, plum, walnut, pineapple, and eggplant. Patient should also avoid tobacco, tea, and coffee for 3 days before specimen collection.

Storage

Plastic screw-cap vial

Transport Temperature

Frozen

Specimen Stability

  • Room temperature: Unacceptable
  • Refrigerated: Unacceptable
  • Frozen: 42 days

Limitations

N/A

Other Acceptable Specimens

N/A

Unacceptable Specimens

Received refrigerated • Received room temperature

Billing

CPT Code

  • 84260

Billing Code

  • 670474

CPT Statement

Result Information

Methodology

Liquid Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS/MS)

Testing Laboratory

N/A

Reference Range

56-244 ng/mL

Setup Schedule / Expected Turnaround Time

Monday - Friday; Report available: 4 - 6 days