Methodology
Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
Specimen Type
CSF
Performing Lab
Labcorp
Epic ID
Other Reference Test
Standard TAT
10 - 14 days
Collection Information
Specimen Required
0.5 mL CSF
Container Type
Labcorp 5-Tube CSF Collection Kit (please contact lab)
Collection Instructions
Pre-procedure requirements for diagnostic purposes: Before lumbar puncture, patients should avoid medications that affect neurotransmitter turnover. These include: Serotonin and dopamine reuptake inhibitors, Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitors, Levodopa (should be discontinued 3–4 days prior to the lumbar puncture) ***CSF collection protocol: Collect CSF starting from the first drop directly into the first tube. Do not aliquot from a pooled sample. Fill tubes in numerical order, to the volume listed: Tube 1: 0.5 mL, Tube 2: 1.0 mL, Tube 3: 1.0 mL (contains antioxidants to preserve sample integrity), Tube 4: 1.0 mL, Tube 5: 1.0 mL***If no blood contamination, place tubes on dry ice immediately at bedside (contact lab for dry ice). If blood contamination is present, send to lab ASAP so sample can be centrifuged immediately
Processing Information - Lab Use Only
Transport Temperature
Frozen-Only
Specimen Stability
Ambient: Unacceptable; Refrigerated: Unacceptable; Frozen:14 days
Processing Instructions
If blood contamination is present, centrifuge immediately (before freezing). Transfer clear CSF to new, correspondingly labeled tube, then place the tube on dry ice immediately. Label tubes with patient information leaving the tube number viewable. If no blood contamination freeze immediately. Fill out Labcorp req and send with daily courier pick up.
Revised
10/19/26
Initials
IM