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Test ID SALCA Salicylate, Serum

Useful For

Assessing toxicity

 

This test is not useful for assessing low-dose aspirin therapy

Method Name

Photometric

Reporting Name

Salicylate, S

Specimen Type

Serum

Container/Tube:

Preferred: Serum gel

Acceptable: Red top

Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Serum gel tubes should be centrifuged within 2 hours of collection.

2. Red-top tubes should be centrifuged and aliquoted within 2 hours of collection.

Specimen Minimum Volume

0.25 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Serum Refrigerated (preferred) 7 days
  Frozen  28 days
  Ambient  72 hours

Clinical Information

Therapeutic salicylates include, among others, salicylic acid, sodium salicylate, methyl salicylate (oil of wintergreen), and acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin).

 

Aspirin is an analgesic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory drug contained in a large number of preparations. Aspirin is rapidly hydrolyzed by hepatic and blood esterases to the pharmacologically active intermediate, salicylic acid, which has a dose-dependent serum half-life ranging from 3 to 20 hours.

 

Stimulation of the respiratory center in the central nervous system and uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation are direct effects of salicylate that lead to many of the toxic symptoms observed in overdose situations.

 

Symptoms of salicylate toxicity can include nausea, vomiting, tinnitus, headache, hyperpnea, confusion, hyperthermia, slurred speech, and convulsions. Acid-base disturbances such as compensated respiratory alkalosis (mild toxicity) and metabolic acidosis with increased anion gap (severe toxicity) are commonplace.

Reference Values

Therapeutic: <30.0 mg/dL

Critical value: ≥50.0 mg/dL

Cautions

This test is not intended for use with low-dose aspirin therapy. Most patients on low daily doses of aspirin for cardiovascular prophylaxis will have serum concentrations near or below the lower limit of the analytical range.

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Sunday; Continuously

Report Available

Same day/1 day

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Medical Laboratories in Rochester

CPT Code Information

80302

G0479 (if appropriate)

NY State Approved

Yes