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Test Code GSH Glutathione, Blood


Specimen Required


Container/Tube:

Preferred: Yellow top (ACD solution B)

Acceptable: Yellow top (ACD solution A)

Specimen Volume: 6 mL

Collection Instructions: Send whole blood specimen in original tube. Do not aliquot.


Useful For

Evaluation of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, favism or chronic or episodic hemolysis or jaundice

 

Evaluation for gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase deficiency

 

Evaluation for glutathione synthetase deficiency causing hemolytic anemia

 

Evaluation for generalized glutathione synthetase deficiency with 5-oxoprolinuria

Method Name

Kinetic Spectrophotometry (KS)

Reporting Name

Glutathione, B

Specimen Type

Whole Blood ACD-B

Specimen Minimum Volume

1 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Whole Blood ACD-B Refrigerated 20 days

Reject Due To

Gross hemolysis Reject
Frozen Reject
Clotted (partial or whole) Reject

Reference Values

≥12 months: 46.9-90.1 mg/dL RBC

Reference values have not been established for patients younger than 12 months.

Interpretation

Measurement of reduced glutathione (GSH) is used as a surrogate for the activity of the enzymes that contribute to normal levels of GSH within the red blood cell. GSH is associated with less than 25% of mean normal in individuals with deficiencies of gamma-glutamyl cysteine synthetase or glutathione synthetase.

 

Elevated concentrations of GSH are of uncertain significance. This finding can be nonspecific and is seen in normal neonates, pyrimidine-5’-nucleotidase deficiency, lead poisoning, dyserythropoietic disorders (inherited and acquired), myelofibrosis (possibly due to chromosome 8 duplication), or riboflavin supplementation. Consistently elevated glutathione levels have been reported in a family with mild hemolytic anemia of uncertain cause (1); however, whether this was causative or incidental was not determined.

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

CPT Code Information

82978

LOINC Code Information

Test ID Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
GSH Glutathione, B 2383-8

 

Result ID Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
608409 Glutathione, B 2383-8

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Friday

Report Available

10 to 13 days

Forms

If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Benign Hematology Test Request (T755) with the specimen.