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Test ID NEFA Free Fatty Acids, Total, Serum


Specimen Required


Patient Preparation:

1. Fasting-overnight (12-14 hours).

2. Patient must not consume any alcohol for 24 hours before the specimen is collected.

3. Patient should not be receiving therapeutic heparin.

Collection Container/Tube: 

Preferred: Serum gel

Acceptable: Red top

Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial

Specimen Volume: 1 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Centrifuge within 45 minutes of collection and aliquot 1 mL of serum into a plastic vial.

2. Immediately freeze specimen.


Forms

If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Cardiovascular Test Request Form (T724) with the specimen.

Secondary ID

606892

Useful For

Evaluation of metabolic status of patients with endocrinopathies

 

Monitoring of control of diabetes mellitus

 

Monitoring the effects of therapeutic diet/exercise lifestyle changes

Method Name

Enzymatic Colorimetric

Reporting Name

Free Fatty Acids, Total, S

Specimen Type

Serum

Specimen Minimum Volume

0.5 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Serum Frozen 7 days

Clinical Information

Elevated serum concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) are associated with cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, obesity, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. NEFA are causally linked with insulin resistance and inflammation of vascular endothelium.

Reference Values

≥18 years: 0.00-0.72 mmol/L

Reference values have not been established for patients who are <18 years of age.

Cautions

Patients receiving therapeutic heparin are unsuitable for this analysis. Heparin causes the release of free fatty acids by stimulating the activity of lipoprotein lipase, which causes triglycerides associated with blood lipoproteins to release free fatty acids.

 

In order to eliminate the generation of free fatty acids from triglycerides by serum lipases (causing erroneous elevations), serum should be frozen as soon as possible after it is collected and shipped frozen.

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Friday

Report Available

1 to 3 days

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Test Classification

This test has been cleared, approved, or is exempt by the US Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.

CPT Code Information

82725

NY State Approved

Yes