Beta hydroxybutyrate, whole blood (in-house)-7726
Test must be run within 30 minutes of collection. Bring specimen to department immediately after collection. This test is available at the Central Laboratory, Buffalo, Cambridge, District One, Mercy, New, Ulm, Owatonna, Regina, River Falls, St. Francis, Unity, United hospitals, and WestHealth.
Sites that cannot get the specimen to one of these sites within 30 minutes of collection should order the Beta Hydroxybutyrate (send-out), referred to LabCorp.
Note differing specimen collection/transport requirements
Test info
β-OHB
Ketone bodies
Specimen
Immediately after collection, mix tube thoroughly by gentle inversion, 8 - 10 times, to prevent clotting
Submit entire specimen - do not spin and do not open
Dk green Lithium heparin (Li hep), no gel
Immediately after collection, mix tube thoroughly by gentle inversion, 8 - 10 times, to prevent clotting
Submit entire specimen - do not spin and do not open
Lt green plasma separator (PST), unspun
Refrigerated - 30 minutes
Time sensitive
- Improper labels (unlabeled or mislabeled)
- Hemolysis (some procedures)
- Improper anticoagulant or ratio
- Delay in transport
- Improper storage temperature affecting results
- Improper container
- Leaking container resulting in compromised specimen
- Quantity not sufficient (QNS)
- Specimens collected in fluorie or oxalate tubes
Performance
Meter
Clinical and Interpretive info
<0.6 mmol/L
Diabetic ketoacidosis occurs when circulating insulin levels drop to very low levels, shutting off the supply of glucose to the body. The physiological response is for the liver to produce ketone bodies (acetoacetate, acetone, and primarily β-hydroxybutyrate) from the acetyl CoA produced from fatty acid oxidation. The very high rate of ketone body production outstrips the body’s ability to utilize them as an energy source and the blood concentration builds up. As rather strong acids, they result in a significant drop in blood pH.
Levels may increase if a person fasts, exercises vigorously, has diabetes and/or becomes ill. A Β-ketone > 1.5 mmol/l may be indicative of developing diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).