Search our extensive Laboratory Test Directory to find test codes, ordering recommendations, specimen stability information, Test Fact Sheets, and more.
Recommendations when to order or not order the test. May include related or preferred tests.
Evaluate NK cells in patients with suspected immune deficiency.
New York DOH Approval Status
Indicates whether a test has been approved by the New York State Department of Health.
This test is New York state approved.
Specimen Required
Patient PreparationInstructions patient must follow before/during specimen collection.
CollectSpecimen type to collect. May include collection media, tubes, kits, etc.
Lavender (EDTA), pink (K2EDTA), or green (sodium or lithium heparin). Hemogard tubes are preferred for laboratory automation and safety.
Specimen PreparationInstructions for specimen prep before/after collection and prior to transport.
Transport 4 mL whole blood. (Min: 0.5 mL)
Storage/Transport TemperaturePreferred temperatures for storage prior to and during shipping to ARUP. See Stability for additional info.
CRITICAL ROOM TEMPERATURE.
Unacceptable ConditionsCommon conditions under which a specimen will be rejected.
Clotted or hemolyzed specimens.
RemarksAdditional specimen collection, transport, or test submission information.
Specimens must be analyzed within stability times provided. Some medication may affect immunophenotyping results and should be provided on the patient test request form.
StabilityAcceptable times/temperatures for specimens. Times include storage and transport time to ARUP.
EDTA: Ambient: 72 hours; Refrigerated: Unacceptable; Frozen: Unacceptable Heparin: Ambient: 48 hours; Refrigerated: Unacceptable; Frozen: Unacceptable New York State Clients: Same as the above.
Methodology
Process(es) used to perform the test.
Quantitative Flow Cytometry
Performed
Days of the week the test is performed.
Sun-Sat
Reported
Expected turnaround time for a result, beginning when ARUP has received the specimen.
1-3 days
Reference Interval
Normal range/expected value(s) for a specific disease state. May also include abnormal ranges.
Effective November 16, 2015
Reference Interval Notes: Pediatric reference values (0 - 6 days up to 10 - 15 years) taken from Scandinavian Journal of Immunology 2012; 75, 436-444. Adult and Geriatric (16 - 64 and 65 plus years) ranges were developed in-lab.
Test Number
Components
Reference Interval
% Natural Killer Cells
Age
Reference Interval (Percent)
0-6 days
8-62
1 week-1 month
3-23
2-4 months
2-20
5-8 months
2-36
9-14 months
1-64
15-23 months
1-96
2-4 years
2-25
5-9 years
2-31
10-15 years
4-51
16-64 years
4-26
65 years or older
5-28
Absolute Natural Killer Cells
Age
Reference Interval (cells/µL)
0-6 days
500-3100
1 week-1 month
140-1900
2-4 months
97-2000
5-8 months
68-3900
9-14 months
71-3500
15-23 months
55-4000
2-4 years
61-510
5-9 years
70-590
10-15 years
92-1200
16-64 years
78-470
65 years or older
74-620
Interpretive Data
May include disease information, patient result explanation, recommendations, or details of testing.
The results reported are the percentage of lymphocytes that are Natural killer (NK) cells and the absolute count of NK-cells per µL of blood. Only those cells that express CD45 and either CD16 or CD56 (or both) but not CD3 or CD19 are reported.
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by ARUP Laboratories. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. This test was performed in a CLIA certified laboratory and is intended for clinical purposes.
Compliance Category
Laboratory Developed Test (LDT)
Note
Additional information related to the test.
Hotline History
N/A
CPT Codes
The American Medical Association Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes published in ARUP's Laboratory Test Directory are provided for informational purposes only. The codes reflect our interpretation of CPT coding requirements based upon AMA guidelines published annually. CPT codes are provided only as guidance to assist clients with billing. ARUP strongly recommends that clients confirm CPT codes with their Medicare administrative contractor, as requirements may differ. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. ARUP Laboratories assumes no responsibility for billing errors due to reliance on the CPT codes published.
* Component test codes cannot be used to order tests. The information provided here is not sufficient for interface builds; for a complete test mix, please click the sidebar link to access the Interface Map.
Aliases
Other names that describe the test. Synonyms.
NK absolute cell count and percentage
Natural Killer Cell CD56/CD16, Percent and Absolute
Connect Sign In
