RENIN ACTIVITY, PLASMA
Test Code: LAB532
CPT Code: 84244 (per specimen)
Interface Code
RENIN
Synonym
PRA, 002006
Specimen Type
Plasma, FROZEN
Specimen Container
Lavender top (EDTA)
Specimen Handling
Draw blood into an EDTA tube. Keep tube at room temperature. Centrifuge at room temperature.[1] Transfer the plasma into a LabCorp PP transpak frozen purple tube with screw cap (LabCorp No. 49482). Freeze immediately and maintain frozen until tested. IT IS CRITICAL THAT THE PLASMA BE TRANSFERRED AND FROZEN AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE TO PREVENT CRYOACTIVATION OF PROTEIN TO RENIN (WHICH RESULTS IN FALSELY ELEVATED RENIN LEVELS). To avoid delays in turnaround time when requesting multiple tests on frozen samples, PLEASE SUBMIT SEPARATE FROZEN SPECIMENS FOR EACH TEST REQUESTED.
Volume
1 mL
Minimum Volume
0.8 mL (NOTE:This volume does NOT allow for repeat testing.)
Temperature
FREEZE
Unacceptable Conditions
Nonfrozen sample received; non-separated sample received; non-EDTA plasma specimen; gross icterus
Methodology
The renin in plasma is allowed to act on the plasma's endogenous substrate, angiotensinogen producing angiotensin I. This is measured by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS-MS).
Additional Information
Patient Preparation: In order to facilitate interpretation of test results, the patient should be taken off medications for at least three weeks prior to sample collection (see Limitations for details). Dietary sodium levels during the period prior to testing can affect renin levels. Sodium restriction tends to cause an increase in renin activity, while supplementation can result in lower values. A 24-hour urine sodium determination from a sample collected on the day before a renin test can be used to assess sodium intake.
Since patient posture prior to collection affects renin levels, it is recommended that the patient be ambulatory for at least 30 minutes before blood collection.1 If inpatients are physically able, they should be asked to ambulate for 30 minutes before blood is drawn for renin activity.
Since patient posture prior to collection affects renin levels, it is recommended that the patient be ambulatory for at least 30 minutes before blood collection.1 If inpatients are physically able, they should be asked to ambulate for 30 minutes before blood is drawn for renin activity.
Stability
Room temperature: UNSTABLE
Refrigerated: UNSTABLE
Frozen: 14 days
Freeze/Thaw cycles: Stable x1
Refrigerated: UNSTABLE
Frozen: 14 days
Freeze/Thaw cycles: Stable x1
Reference Range Information
Reference values are dependent upon methodology/instrumentation, check final report for current reference values
Turn Around Time
4-7 days
Performing Site
LabCorp
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