ARUP's Laboratory Test Directory

Osmotic Fragility, Erythrocyte : 2002257
[ image for: Time Sensitive]
Time Sensitive
  


Mnemonic: OSM FRG

Methodology: Spectrophotometry
Performed: Mon-Fri
Reported: 1-5 days
Specimen Required: Collect: Green (sodium or lithium heparin) or Lavender (EDTA).

Specimen Preparation: Transport 2 unfixed, air-dried, and unstained smears to accompany the collected blood (smears should be made from the blood submitted) (Min: 2 smears). AND 5 mL whole blood (Min: 1 mL). Specimens should be refrigerated within 30 minutes after collection..

Storage/Transport Temperature: Refrigerated.

Unacceptable Conditions: Grossly hemolyzed specimens.

Stability (collection to initiation of testing): Ambient: Unacceptable; Refrigerated: 72 hours; Frozen: Unacceptable
Reference Interval:
Within normal curve limits. A graph will accompany laboratory report.
Interpretive Data: For patients with acute hemolysis, a normal red cell osmotic fragility test result cannot exclude an osmotic fragility abnormality since the osmotically labile cells may be hemolyzed and not present. Recommend testing during a state of prolonged homeostasis with stable hematocrit.
CPT Code(s): 85555
Cross References: Osmotic Fragility (Osmotic Fragility, Erythrocyte), Spherocytic Hemolytic Disease (Osmotic Fragility, Erythrocyte)