Find Locations
For hours, walk-ins and appointments.Special Instructions
The request form must state site of fluid (ie, pleural, peritoneal, pericardial, synovial).
Expected Turnaround Time
1 - 2 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.
Related Documents
Specimen Requirements
Specimen
Any fresh body fluid
Volume
1 mL
Minimum Volume
0.3 mL (Note: This volume does not allow for repeat testing.)
Container
Sterile container
Collection
Collect aseptically into sterile tube.
Storage Instructions
Room temperature
Stability Requirements
Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
Room temperature | 14 days |
Refrigerated | 14 days |
Frozen | 14 days |
Freeze/thaw cycles | Stable x3 |
Patient Preparation
On synovial fluid collection only, patient should fast for eight hours.
Causes for Rejection
Improper labeling
Test Details
Use
Decreased fluid glucose concentration is usually associated with septic or inflammatory processes; in pleural effusion, very low glucose is a facet of rheumatoid effusion: pleural fluid glucose <50 mg/dL characterizes rheumatoid effusion. It is often much less.
Methodology
Enzymatic
Reference Interval
• Peritoneal: Not established
• Pleural:
− Transudate: Equal to simultaneously drawn plasma
− Exudate: Equal to simultaneously drawn plasma
• Synovial: Equal to simultaneously drawn plasma
The method performance specifications have not been established for this test in body fluid. The test result should be integrated into clinical context for interpretation.
Additional Information
Potts et al describe loculated effusions or empyemas with low glucose and low pH. Low glucose is found with empyema, tuberculosis, neoplasia, and rheumatoid effusion.1 In cases of malignant pleural effusions, when there is low pleural fluid glucose (<60 mg/dL) and pH <7.30, a probability of 90% that the cytologic yield will be positive was reported.2
Footnotes
1. Potts DE, Taryle DA, Sahn SA. The glucose-pH relationship in parapneumonic effusions. Arch Intern Med. 1978 Sep; 138(9):1378-1380. 28707
2. Rodríguez-Panadero F, López Mejías JL. Low glucose and pH levels in malignant pleural effusions. Diagnostic significance and prognostic value in respect to pleurodesis. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1989 Mar; 139(3):663-667. 2923367
LOINC® Map
| Order Code | Order Code Name | Order Loinc | Result Code | Result Code Name | UofM | Result LOINC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 019497 | Glucose, Body Fluid | 2344-0 | 019497 | Glucose, Body Fluid | mg/dL | 2344-0 |
© 2021 Laboratory Corporation of America® Holdings and Lexi-Comp Inc. All Rights Reserved.
CPT Statement/Profile Statement
The LOINC® codes are copyright © 1994-2021, Regenstrief Institute, Inc. and the Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) Committee. Permission is granted in perpetuity, without payment of license fees or royalties, to use, copy, or distribute the LOINC® codes for any commercial or non-commercial purpose, subject to the terms under the license agreement found at https://loinc.org/license/. Additional information regarding LOINC® codes can be found at LOINC.org, including the LOINC Manual, which can be downloaded at LOINC.org/downloads/files/LOINCManual.pdf