Clinical Chemistry and Immunochemistry Tests Using Citrate Plasma

Summary

• Citrate plasma is commonly used for coagulation testing in medical labs.
• In exceptional circumstances, citrate plasma may also be used for various clinical chemistry and immunochemistry tests.
• It is important for phlebotomists and lab technicians to be aware of these alternative uses of citrate plasma.

Clinical Chemistry and Immunochemistry Tests Using Citrate Plasma

Introduction

Clinical chemistry and immunochemistry tests are crucial components of diagnostic testing in medical laboratories. These tests involve analyzing various substances in the blood to assess a patient's health status and aid in the diagnosis of diseases. While serum and plasma are commonly used specimens for these tests, citrate plasma can also be utilized in exceptional circumstances for certain tests.

Coagulation Testing

Citrate plasma is most commonly used for coagulation testing in medical labs. The citrate acts as an Anticoagulant by chelating calcium, thereby preventing blood clot formation. Coagulation tests such as Prothrombin Time (PT), Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT), and International Normalized Ratio (INR) are routinely performed using citrate plasma. These tests help assess the clotting ability of blood and monitor patients on Anticoagulant therapy.

Clinical Chemistry Tests

In addition to coagulation testing, citrate plasma can be used for certain clinical chemistry tests in exceptional circumstances. Some of the specific tests that may be performed using citrate plasma include:

1. Bicarbonate (HCO3-) levels: Citrate plasma may be used to measure bicarbonate levels in the blood, which can provide insight into a patient's acid-base balance.
2. Lactate levels: Citrate plasma can also be utilized to measure lactate levels, which are important in the evaluation of tissue perfusion and anaerobic metabolism.
3. Glucose levels: In some cases, citrate plasma may be used for glucose testing when serum or plasma samples are not available.

Immunochemistry Tests

Similarly, citrate plasma may be used for certain immunochemistry tests when other specimen types are not feasible. Immunochemistry tests assess various substances such as hormones, proteins, and antibodies in the blood. Examples of immunochemistry tests that may be performed using citrate plasma include:

1. Thyroid function tests: Citrate plasma may be used for thyroid function testing, which includes measuring thyroid hormones such as T3, T4, and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH).
2. Cardiac Biomarkers: Certain cardiac Biomarkers, such as troponin and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), can also be measured in citrate plasma samples.
3. Cytokine levels: Citrate plasma may be utilized to assess cytokine levels, which play a crucial role in the regulation of the immune response.

Considerations for Phlebotomists and Lab Technicians

Phlebotomists and lab technicians play a key role in specimen collection and processing for clinical chemistry and immunochemistry tests. When collecting citrate plasma for tests beyond coagulation testing, it is essential to follow specific guidelines to ensure accurate results:

1. Proper specimen handling: Citrate plasma should be collected using the appropriate Anticoagulant tubes and handled according to specific test requirements to prevent pre-analytical errors.
2. Correct tube inversion: After blood collection, citrate tubes should be gently inverted several times to ensure proper mixing of the Anticoagulant with the blood sample.
3. Timely centrifugation: Citrate plasma samples should be promptly centrifuged at the specified speed and duration to separate the plasma from the cellular components of blood.
4. Storage conditions: Citrate plasma should be stored at the recommended temperature and duration to maintain sample stability until testing is performed.

Conclusion

While citrate plasma is primarily used for coagulation testing in medical labs, it can also serve as an alternative specimen for specific clinical chemistry and immunochemistry tests in exceptional circumstances. Phlebotomists and lab technicians should be aware of these alternative uses of citrate plasma and adhere to best practices in specimen collection and processing to ensure accurate and reliable Test Results.

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