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Time Sensitive

Ordering Recommendation

Functional testing of red blood cell sensitivity to osmotic stress. Do not use to distinguish between spherocytes in hereditary spherocytosis and acquired autoimmune hemolytic anemia.

New York DOH Approval Status

This test is New York state approved.

Specimen Required

Patient Preparation
Collect

Green (sodium or lithium heparin) or lavender (EDTA).

Specimen Preparation

Transport 5mL whole blood. (Min: 1mL) Specimens should be refrigerated within 30 minutes after collection.

Storage/Transport Temperature

Refrigerated.

Unacceptable Conditions

Grossly hemolyzed specimens.

Remarks
Stability

Ambient: Unacceptable; Refrigerated: 72 hours; Frozen: Unacceptable

Methodology

Spectrophotometry

Performed

Mon-Fri

Reported

1-5 days

Reference Interval

Within normal curve limits.

Interpretive Data

For patients with acute hemolysis, a normal red cell osmotic fragility test result cannot exclude an osmotic fragility abnormality since the osmotically labile cells may be hemolyzed and not present. Recommend testing during a state of prolonged homeostasis with stable hematocrit.

Compliance Category

Standard

Note

Hotline History

N/A

CPT Codes

85555

Components

Component Test Code* Component Chart Name LOINC
0049015 Osmotic Fragility 34964-7
* 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

  • FRAGILITY, OSMOTIC (RBC)
  • Osmotic Fragility
  • RBC Fragility, Erythrocytes
  • Red Cell Fragility
  • Spherocytic Hemolytic Disease
Osmotic Fragility, Erythrocyte