ARUP's Laboratory Test Directory

Serotonin, Whole Blood : 0080395

Mnemonic: SEROT-WB

Methodology: Quantitative High Performance Liquid Chromatography
Performed: Sun, Wed - Fri
Reported: 1-5 days
Specimen Required: Patient Prep: Abstain from medications for 72 hours prior to collection.

Collect: Lavender (EDTA) or pink (K2EDTA).

Specimen Preparation: Place on ice. Transfer 3 mL whole blood to an ARUP Serotonin Transport Tube containing ascorbic acid (ARUP supply #16568). Available online through eSupply using ARUP Connect™ or contact ARUP Client Services at (800) 522-2787. (Min: 1 mL) Mix well. Specimen must be preserved and frozen within 2 hours of collection.

Storage/Transport Temperature: CRITICAL FROZEN. Separate specimens must be submitted when multiple tests are ordered.

Remarks: Serotonin, Serum (ARUP test code 0080397) is recommended for patients that are difficult to draw.

Unacceptable Conditions: Non-frozen specimens. Specimens other than whole blood.

Stability (collection to initiation of testing): After transfer to Serotonin Transport Tube: Ambient: Unacceptable; Refrigerated: Unacceptable; Frozen: 1 month
Reference Interval:
50-200 ng/mL
Interpretive Data:

See Compliance Statement B: www.aruplab.com/CS
Note: Medications that may affect serotonin concentrations include lithium, MAO inhibitors, methyldopa, morphine, and reserpine.  In general, foods that contain serotonin do not interfere significantly.  Slight increases may be seen in acute intestinal obstruction, acute MI, cystic fibrosis, dumping syndromes, and nontropical sprue.  Metastasizing abdominal carcinoid tumors often show serotonin concentrations greater than 400 ng/mL.
CPT Code(s): 84260
Cross References: 5-HT (Serotonin, Whole Blood), 5-Hydroxytryptamine (Serotonin, Whole Blood)