Beta hydroxybutyrate, serum/plasma-13432
This test should be ordered only if the specimen cannot be run at an Allina hospital lab within 30 minutes of collection. If the specimen can be run at an Allina hospital lab within 30 minute of collection, order the Beta Hydroxybutyrate, whole blood (in-house).
In-house whole blood testing is available at the Central Laboratory, Buffalo, Cambridge, Fairbault, Mercy, New Ulm, Owatonna, Regina, River Falls, St. Francis, Unity, United hospitals, and WestHealth.
Note differing specimen collection/transport requirements.
Test info
β-Hydroxybutyrate
Beta-hydroxybutyrate
Beta-hydroxybutyric acid
Ketone bodies
The β-hydroxybutyrate assay will not detect acetoacetic acid and acetone. Acidosis shifts equilibrium toward β-hydroxybutyrate, but treatment of ketoacidosis results in increased acetoacetate and a more positive "acetone" reaction before ketone bodies decrease.
Specimen
Submission of the minimum volume does not allow for repeat testing
Immediately following collection, thoroughly mix sample by gently inverting 5 times
- Allow sample to clot for a minimum of 30 minutes
- Spin within two (2) hours of sample collection
- Transfer serum to a Screw-cap polypropylene frozen transport vial/tube - 4mL (LabCorp), labelled as serum
- Freeze
Sodium heparin (Na hep) plasma
Lavender/Dk green
Immediately after collection, mix tube thoroughly by gentle inversion, 8 - 10 times, to prevent clotting
Red:
- Allow sample to clot
- Spin within two (2) hours of specimen collection
- Transfer the serum to a Screw-cap polypropylene frozen transport vial/tube - 4mL (LabCorp), labelled as serum
- Freeze
Lavender/Dk green:
- Spin within two (2) hours of specimen collection
- Transfer the plasma to a Screw-cap polypropylene frozen transport vial/tube - 4mL (LabCorp), labelled as the appropriate plasma type
- Freeze
Frozen (preferred) - 11 days
Refrigerated - 2 days
Ambient - NO
- Gross hemolysis
Performance
Spectrophotometric
Clinical and Interpretive info
All ages (fasting): 0.2 - 2.8 mg/dL
Beta-Hydroxybutrate is one of 3 sources of ketone bodies. Ketoacidosos in diabetes usually occurs with decreased plasma pH and bicarbonate, increased glucose and other abnormalities. As ketoacidosis and metabolic acidosis are treated, hypokalemia may become evident. A normal or low potassium on admission with ketoacidosis may indicate severe potassium depletion. Thus, potassium is among parameters to follow in treatment of ketoacidosis. In children younger than 10 years of age, diabetic ketoacidosis is reported to account for 70% of diabetes-related deaths.