Bile Acids, Fractionated and Total (Sendout)

General Information

Lab Name
Bile Acids, Fractionated and Total (Sendout)
Lab Code
RBAFTS
Epic Name
Bile Acids, Fractionated and Total (Sendout)
External Test Id
BAFS
Description

Useful For:

  • Measuring tauro- and glycol-conjugated and unconjugated bile acid constituents in serum specimens
  • Monitoring patients receiving bile acid therapy, such as cholic acid, deoxycholic acid, or ursodeoxycholic acid
  • Aiding in the evaluation of liver function; evaluation of liver function changes before the formation of more advanced clinical signs of illness such as icterus
  • Determining hepatic dysfunction as a result of chemical and environmental injury
  • Indicating hepatic histological improvement in chronic hepatitis C patients responding to interferon treatment
  • Indicating intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy
  • Note: This assay is not useful for the diagnosis of peroxisomal biogenesis disorders or inborn errors of bile acid metabolism.

Test Highlights:

  • Bile acids are elevated in individuals with liver dysfunction.
  • This bile acid test can be used in the diagnosis of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.
  • Fractionated bile acids, including tauro- and glycol-conjugates of cholic acid, chenodeoxycholic acid, deoxycholic acid, and ursodeoxycholic acid are individually summed and reported.

Ordering Note: For total bile acids only, refer to test Bile Acids (Total) (Sendout) [RBILEA].

References
Synonyms
BAFS, Chenodeoxycholic acid, Cholic acid, Deoxycholic acid, Fractionated bile acids, Ursodeoxycholic acid
Components

Interpretation

Method

Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)

Reference Range
See individual components
Ref. Range Notes

Reference Values:

Total cholic acid: < or =5.00 nmol/mL
Total chenodeoxycholic acid: < or =6.00 nmol/mL
Total deoxycholic acid: < or =6.00 nmol/mL
Total deoxycholic acid: < or =2.00 nmol/mL
Total bile acids: < or =19.00 nmol/mL

Interpretation: Total bile acids are metabolized in the liver and can serve as a marker for normal liver function. Increases in serum bile acids are seen in patients with acute hepatitis, chronic hepatitis, liver sclerosis, liver cancer, and intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.

Interferences and Limitations

Cautions: This test does not measure sulfated bile acids.

Ordering & Collection

Specimen Type
Blood
Collection

3 mL blood in GOLD SST or RED TOP tube

Handling Instructions

Outside Laboratories: Centrifuge sample and transfer serum to a separate plastic vial. Refrigerate serum while awaiting shipment. Transport with a cold pack.

Stability: Refrigerated (preferred): 90 days; Frozen: 90 days; Ambient: 90 days.

Quantity
Requested: 0.5 mL serum
Minimum: 0.3 mL serum

Processing

Receiving Instructions

Centrifuge sample and transfer serum to a separate plastic vial. Refrigerate serum.

Sendouts:

  • Order Mayo Test: BAFS
  • Interfaced: Yes [Interface: 601; Worksheet: MARF]

Stability: Refrigerated (preferred): 90 days; Frozen: 90 days; Ambient: 90 days.

Misc Sendout

Performance

Lab Department
Sendouts Mayo Lab (RF)(MARF)
Frequency
Performed: Monday through Friday. Report Available: 3-5 days from sample receipt at Mayo Clinic Labs.
Available STAT?
No
Performing Location(s)
Sendout Mayo Clinic Laboratories
800-533-1710

200 First Street Southwest
Rochester, MN 55901

Billing & Coding

CPT Codes
82542
LOINC
43130-4
Interfaced Order Code
UOW5302