Test Details
Methodology
Pyruvate − lactate; spectrophotometry
Result Turnaround Time
2 - 4 days
Turnaround time is defined as the usual number of days from the date of pickup of a specimen for testing to when the result is released to the ordering provider. In some cases, additional time should be allowed for additional confirmatory or additional reflex tests. Testing schedules may vary.
Use
Increased pyruvic acid levels have been associated with diabetes mellitus, vitamin deficiencies, uremia, congestive heart failure, liver diseases, muscular dystrophy, thiamine deficiency, and neoplastic conditions. Pyruvic acid is useful in assessing oxygen deprivation and provides an index of the severity of circulatory failure.
Limitations
There appears to be no adequate means of preserving the pyruvic acid level (including the use of sodium fluoride), except immediate precipitation of blood proteins. Because of the time required to obtain serum or plasma from drawn blood, the pyruvic acid values observed with plasma are likely to be different from the true initial values; therefore, the use of whole blood with subsequent protein precipitation for pyruvic acid determination is recommended.
Specimen Requirements
Specimen
Perchloric acid supernatant from oxalated whole blood
Volume
0.5 mL (clear supernatant)
Minimum Volume
0.2 mL (clear supernatant) (Note:This volume does not allow for repeat testing.)
Container
Gray-top (potassium oxalate/sodium fluoride) tube and one LabCorp 8% perchloric acid tube
Collection Instructions
Draw blood into chilled gray-top tube. Immediately after blood is drawn, add 2 mL of whole blood from the gray-top tube to 2 mL of 8% perchloric acid (PeopleSoft No. 111749) (7 mL of 70% perchloric acid diluted to 100 mL with deionized water). Note: Use 1:1 blood (ie, equal parts) to 8% perchloric ratio if less blood is obtained. Shake mixture vigorously for about 30 seconds. Refrigerate for five minutes to ensure complete protein precipitation. Centrifuge 5 to 10 minutes at approximately 1500xg. Immediately transfer the clear supernatant to a transport tube. Label the transport tube as "supernatant" and send to the laboratory. Note: A second centrifugation of the supernatant may be necessary to obtain a clear protein-free solution.
Stability Requirements
Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
Room temperature | 5 days |
Refrigerated | 7 days |
Frozen | 7 days |
Freeze/thaw cycles | Stable x3 |
Reference Range
0.3−0.7 mg/dL
Storage Instructions
Maintain the perchloric acid supernatant refrigerated.
Patient Preparation
Patient should be in a fasting and resting state (should not exercise).
Causes for Rejection
Whole blood received; gray-top tube not prepared with perchloric acid
LOINC® Map
| Order Code | Order Code Name | Order Loinc | Result Code | Result Code Name | UofM | Result LOINC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 004788 | Pyruvic Acid, Blood | 2905-8 | 004788 | Pyruvic Acid, Blood | mg/dL | 2905-8 |
| Order Code | 004788 | |||||
| Order Code Name | Pyruvic Acid, Blood | |||||
| Order Loinc | 2905-8 | |||||
| Result Code | 004788 | |||||
| Result Code Name | Pyruvic Acid, Blood | |||||
| UofM | mg/dL | |||||
| Result LOINC | 2905-8 |