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HelpEpic Test Code LAB1134 Osmotic Fragility, Erythrocytes
Additional Codes
MML Code: FRAG
LIS Code: OSMF
NY State Approved
YesPerforming Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
Reporting Name
Osmotic Fragility, RBCMethod Name
Osmotic Lysis
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Control | Refrigerated | 72 hours | PURPLE OR PINK TOP/EDTA |
| Whole Blood EDTA | Refrigerated | 72 hours |
Ordering Guidance
Additional Testing Requirements
Shipping Instructions
Specimens must arrive within 72 hours of collection.
Necessary Information
Patient's age is required.
Specimen Required
Both a whole blood EDTA specimen and a shipping control specimen are required. The shipping control specimen is used to evaluate whether a patient result has been compromised by handling conditions such as temperature, motion, or other transportation interferences. Temperature and handling extremes can adversely impact the integrity of the specimen.
Patient:
Specimen Type: Whole blood
Container/Tube: Lavender top (EDTA)
Specimen Volume: 4 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Refrigerate specimen immediately after collection.
2. Send whole blood specimen in original tube. Do not aliquot.
3. Rubber band patient specimen and control vial together.
Normal Shipping Control:
Specimen Type: Whole blood
Container/Tube: Lavender top (EDTA)
Specimen Volume: 4 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Collect a shipping control specimen from a normal (healthy), unrelated, nonsmoking person at the same time as the patient.
2. Clearly hand write “normal control†on the outermost label.
3. Refrigerate specimen immediately after collection.
4. Send control specimen in original tube. Do not aliquot.
5. Rubber band patient specimen and control vial together. The control and patient specimen must be handled in the same manner from specimen collection to receipt in the testing laboratory.
Specimen Type
ControlWhole Blood EDTA
Specimen Minimum Volume
Patient whole blood, shipping control: 2 mL
Reference Values
≥12 months:
0.50 g/dL NaCl (unincubated): 3-53% hemolysis
0.60 g/dL NaCl (incubated): 14-74% hemolysis
0.65 g/dL NaCl (incubated): 4-40% hemolysis
0.75 g/dL NaCl (incubated): 1-11% hemolysis
NaCl = sodium chloride
Reference values have not been established for patients who are younger than 12 months of age.
Report Available
2 to 5 daysDay(s) Performed
Monday through Saturday
CPT Code Information
85557
Reject Due To
| Gross hemolysis | Reject |
| Clotted blood | Reject |
Useful For
Evaluating suspected hereditary spherocytosis-associated hemolytic anemia
Confirming or detecting mild spherocytosis
Profile Information
| Test ID | Reporting Name | Available Separately | Always Performed |
|---|---|---|---|
| FRAGO | Osmotic Fragility | No | Yes |
| SCTRL | Shipping Control Vial | No | Yes |
Clinical Information
Spherocytes are osmotically fragile cells that rupture more easily in a hypotonic solution than do normal red blood cells . Because they have a low surface area:volume ratio, they lyse at a higher osmolarity than do normal discocytes (ie, RBC). Cells that have a larger surface area:volume ratio, such as target cells or hypochromic cells, are more resistant to lysing. After incubation, an increase in hemolysis is seen in spherocytes. Hereditary spherocytosis typically has a greater number of spherocytes than other causes of spherocytosis. Therefore, the degree of lysis is usually more pronounced, but this is not always the case. Some rare disorders can also cause marked fragility, and hereditary spherocytosis cases can display moderate fragility.
Interpretation
An interpretive report will be provided.
Cautions
Spherocytosis of any cause will result in increased osmotic fragility. Infrequently, other congenital hemolytic disorders may also be associated with positive results, as in patients with congenital nonspherocytic hemolytic anemia due to red blood cells (RBC) enzyme deficiencies.
Patients with an immunohemolytic anemia or who have recently received a blood transfusion may also have increased RBC lysis.
Resulting Cautions:
-Osmotic fragility results will be reported if the shipping control is normal.
-If the shipping control is abnormal and the osmotic fragility results on the patient are within normal range, the results will be reported; however, a comment will be added to the report indicating that the shipping control was not entirely satisfactory.
-The test will be canceled if the patient specimen and shipping control are both abnormal.
Specimen Retention Time
7 daysForms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Benign Hematology Test Request (T755) with the specimen.