Methemoglobin

Specimen Type

Test ID		LAB91
EPIC Order		METHEMOGLOBIN
CPT Code(s)		83050
Group/Individual Test		Individual
Laboratory		Core Laboratory-Blood Gas
Tube Station		31
Specimen	Routine:	1 mL whole blood in 3cc syringe w/ lyophilized heparin in BG Kit, SafePICO Collection Kit, or Green Lithium Heparin – NO GEL. See Comments
	Micro:	0.5 mL whole blood in 1cc syringe w/ lyophilized heparin in BG Kit or full heparinized capillary tube. See Comments.
Stability		Room Temp/Refrigerated: up to 4 hours Frozen: NO
Availability	Routine:	24 hr/day
	STAT:	Yes
Turnaround Time		10 minutes
Reference Range	Normal:	<1.5%
	Critical:	>10%
Comments	*Dark Green Top Sodium Heparin tubes are NOT acceptable and will be rejected.* Deliver Immediately to Blood Gas lab. Syringes with needles attached will NOT be accepted. Blood Gas syringes may be obtained from Central Distribution. Heparinized capillary samples can be analyzed if at least 200 µL of clot-free blood is present.

Reviewed by J. Carr on February 03, 2026

UNC Hospitals
McLendon Clinical Laboratories
101 Manning Drive
Chapel Hill, NC 27514