Specimen Requirements
Title
VITAMIN B6 (PYRIDOXINE)
Specimen Requirement
Patient must fast overnight and be restricted from alcohol and vitamins for at least 24 hours before sample collection. Draw lavender EDTA tube. Spin, separate and send 1.0 mL plasma FROZEN in AMBER screw-capped plastic vial; indicate “Plasma/lav top” on transport tube and freeze within 6 hours of collection. Contact lab for dry ice and ship to lab when dry ice is received.
Methodology
Stability
Frozen 14 days
Reference Range
By Report*
Turnaround
3-5 days (Setup Mon-Fri)
Clinical Use
Evaluate vitamin B6 deficiency. Patients with low values tend to have impaired immune function and increased risk for infection and postoperative complications such as normal dehiscence. Patients on theophylline, antihypertensives, or aminoglycosides are likely to have decreased levels.
Test Code
VB6W