The analysis of carnitines is indicated in patients who fail to thrive, hypotonia, chronic muscle weakness, cardiomyopathy, intermittent episodes of weakness and encephalopathy, renal Fanconi's syndrome, hypoglycemic episodes, metabolic acidosis, or hypo ketotic dicarboxylic acidurias.

Gold serum separator (SST) tube

Immediately following collection, thoroughly mix sample by gently inverting 5 times

1. Allow sample to clot for a minimum of 30 minutes
2. Spin within two (2) hours of sample collection
3. Transfer serum to a Screw-cap polypropylene frozen transport vial/tube - 4mL (LabCorp)
4. Freeze as soon as possible

Screw-cap polypropylene frozen transport vial/tube - 4mL (LabCorp)

Red serum vial/tube - 5 mL

Dk green heparin (Li or Na), no gel

Dk green:

Immediately following collection, mix sample thoroughly by gently inverting 8 - 10 times to prevent clotting

Red:

1. Allow sample to clot 
2. Spin within two (2) hours of sample collection
3. Transfer serum to a  Screw-cap polypropylene frozen transport vial/tube - 4mL (LabCorp), labelled as serum
4. Freeze as soon as possible

Dk green:

1. Spin within two (2) hours of sample collection
2. Transfer plasma to a Screw-cap polypropylene frozen transport vial/tube - 4mL (LabCorp), labelled as the appropriate plasma type
3. Freeze as soon as possible

Frozen - 14 days

Specimen not frozen

High-pressure liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS-MS)

Carnitine total: 27 - 73 umol/L
Carnitine free:  20 - 55 umol/L
Esterified/Free:  0 - 0.9