Cyanide, Blood
Test Mnemonic
CYANID
CPT Codes
- 82600 - QTY (1)
Performing Laboratory
ARUP
FDA Category
Laboratory Developed Test
Specimen Requirements
| Volume | Type | Container | Collect Temperature | Transport Temperature | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 mL | Whole blood | Potassium oxalate/sodium fluoride (Gray) | Refrigerated | Separate specimens must be submitted when multiple tests are ordered. |
Minimum Specimen Requirements
| Volume | Type | Container | Collect Temperature | Transport Temperature | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.4 mL |
Stability
| Environmental Condition | Description |
|---|---|
| Frozen | 3 months |
| Refrigerated | 1 week |
| Ambient | Undetermined |
Days Performed
Varies
Turnaround Time
11 - 15 days
Methodology
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| High Performance Liquid Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) |
Reference Range
Special Info
Separate specimens must be submitted when multiple tests are ordered. This test is New York DOH approved.
Clinical Info
Studies have shown that cyanide has variable instability in biological specimens and is particularly unstable in some postmortem specimens. The loss of cyanide can be minimized by shipping the sample to the laboratory for analysis as soon as possible using sodium fluoride/potassium oxalate (grey-top tubes). The potential for increases in cyanide concentrations, although rare, have also been demonstrated and may be due to microbial action. Preservation with sodium fluoride may reduce this possibility.