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Test Code LAB56 Carboxyhemoglobin

Synonym

  • COHGB

Specimen Required

Preferred Container/Tube: Dry Lithium Heparin Syringe
Acceptable Container/Tube: Dry Lithium Heparin Syringe
Specimen Volume: Full Syringe
Specimen Minimum Volume: Full Syringe

Specimen Stability Information

Ambient: 30 minutes

Rejected Due To

  • Unacceptable container type
  • Quantity not sufficient
  • Clotted specimens
  • Received >30 minutes from collection time

Reference Values

≤1.5 %

Interpretation

Carboxyhemoglobin is elevated in patients exposed to high exogenous sources of carbon monoxide such as cigarette smoke, vehicle exhaust, etc. or increased endogenous production such as hemolysis.

Cautions

Venous blood collected in heparinized vacuum tubes with gel separators (all volumes) and non-gel
vacuum tubes (2 mL only) are not suitable to measure COHb. This is a result of gamma irradiation of vacuum tube material during sterilization which generates carbon monoxide in the tube head space resulting in nonphysiologic COHb elevation.

Method Description

Oximetry

Performing Lab

Clinical Lab UH
Respiratory Therapy East
Respiratory Therapy Martha Morehouse
Respiratory Therapy UH

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Sunday

Reporting Name

Carboxyhemoglobin

CPT Code Information

82375

LOINC Code Information

20563-3