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Test Code LABHIT Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT)

Additional Codes

Test Name in EPIC EPIC Test Code Mnemonic
Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT) LABHIT HIT

 

Methodology

Immunoturbidimetric 

Specimen Requirements

Collection container/Tube: Blue Top and Red Top 

Specimen Type: Blue Top-Platelet-poor plasma and Red Top-Serum 

Container/Tube: 

Fill Blue top tube to the etched line located just below the cap of the tube. 

Preferred: Full Light-blue top (3.2% sodium citrate) 

Acceptable:  Full Sodium citrate (BD® or Greiner tubes) 

Container/Tube: 

Red Top refer to Serotonin Release Assay(LABPORAB) for Processing instructions. 

Specimen Volume: 1 mL 

Specimen Minimum Volume: 0.5 mL 

Collection Instructions: 

1. Unacceptable specimens: Specimens that are short-draws, over-draws, clotted or hemolyzed may yield incorrect results. 

2. If sending from a site spin down, remove top 2/3 of plasma, and spin plasma again in a polypropylene (cloudy plastic) vial. 

3. Aliquot top 3/4 and place platelet-poor plasma in a polypropylene (cloudy plastic) vial. 

4. Glass vials are not acceptable for processing/transport/storage. 

Additional Information: 

1. Double-centrifuged specimens are critical for accurate results as platelet contamination may cause spurious results. 

2. If there is a delay in transport of >2 hours, send specimen frozen. 

Specimen Transport Temperature

Ambient whole blood: 2 hours  
Frozen plasma: 2 weeks at -20°C, up to 1 year at -70°C  
 

Day(s) Test Set Up

Monday through Sunday (all shifts) 

Performing Laboratory

Coagulation- 
SMDC Clinical Lab, Fargo Hospital Lab 
 

Test Classification and CPT Coding

86022 

Reference Values

Negative (<1 U/mL) 

A negative test result has a high negative predictive power for a diagnosis of HIT, it does not completely exclude a clinical HIT diagnosis, especially when clinical probability is high. Clinical correlation is required. 

 

Reflex Testing 

Positive results (≥1 U/mL) 

Serotonin release assay (EPIC Test code: LABPORAB) will be reflexed and testing to be sent to reference lab for confirmation.