Evaluate muscle wasting process.

High levels are found in progressive Duchenne muscular dystrophy (MD). Elevations occur in carriers of MD, in limb-girdle dystrophy and other dystrophies, in dermatomyositis, polymyositis, and trichinosis, but not in neurogenic atrophies (eg, multiple sclerosis or in myasthenia gravis).

Gold serum separator (SST) tube

Immediatley following collection, mix sample by gently inverting 5 times

1. Allow sample to clot 
2. Spin within 30 minutes of sample collection

Not removing refrigerated specimens from the clot results in aldolase levels 12% to 46% higher.

Gold serum separator (SST) tube

Red serum vial/tube, 5 mL

Lavender (EDTA), 4mL

Lt blue Sodium citrate (NaCit)

Grey Sodium flouride (NaFl)

Dk green heparin (Li or Na), no gel

Red:

1. Allow sample to clot
2. Spin 
3. Immediately (30 minutes) transfer serum to a Transfer vial/tube with cap - 12mL (LabCorp) labelled as "serum"

Lavender, Lt blue, Grey or Dk green:

1. Spin
2. Immediately (30 minutes) transfer plasma to a Transfer vial/tube with cap - 12mL (LabCorp) labelled as the appropriate type of plasma.

Not removing refrigerated specimens from the clot/cells results in aldolase levels 12% to 46% higher.

Transfer vial/tube with cap - 12mL (LabCorp)

Refrigerated (preferred) - 7 days

Ambient - 1 day

Frozen - 15 days

Freeze/thaw cycles - stable x3

• Hemolysis (red cells contain aldolase)

Kinetic - 340 nm at 37ºC

0 - 30 days:         Not established
31 days - 1 year:  5.0−11.7 units/L
>1 year:              3.3−10.3 units/L

High levels are found in progressive Duchenne muscular dystrophy (MD). Elevations occur in carriers of MD, in limb-girdle dystrophy and other dystrophies, in dermatomyositis, polymyositis, and trichinosis, but not in neurogenic atrophies (eg, multiple sclerosis or in myasthenia gravis).