5-Methyltetrahydrolfolate, CSF

• Collection kit is kept in the McLendon Lab Core Lab Processing Refrigerator. Call Referral Testing with questions about collection 984-974-1414.

• Preferred collection: Use special kit provided by reference lab which contains 5 numbered vials. Vials should be collected in order (1-5) and be the first thing collected and placed on dry ice at the bedside. If dry ice isn’t available, place samples on wet ice and deliver to Referral Testing as soon as possible.  
  • Vial number 1 is used for Neurotransmitter Metabolites and must have first drops from lumbar puncture collected up to the line on the tube. Do not collect CSF above the line.
  • Vial number 3 contains a preservative that is required for Tetrahydrobiopterin/Neoptin.
  • Vials 2, 4, 5 will be used for other testing requested at LabCorp MNG Laboratories.

• Alternate collection: Collect CSF in small plain collection tubes and number the tubes in order of collection. Tube number 1 must have exactly 0.5mL of CSF. Tetrahydrobiopterin/Neoptin will not be available if not collected in the reference lab supplied kit.

Note: If sample is bloody, do not place samples on dry ice. Deliver them immediately to Referral Testing to be spun prior to freezing.