Alert

Published on April 06, 2015

Tacrolimus; Trough

Tube Type = Lavender Top or Lavender Bullet

Tube Type

Test ID LAB5367
EPIC ORDER
   TACROLIMUS LEVEL , TROUGH
CPT Code(s)   80197
Group/Individual Test   Individual
Laboratory   Special Chemistry Lab
Tube Station   30
Specimen Routine: 3 mL blood/lavender EDTA tube; See Comments
Micro: 500 µL blood/lavender EDTA microtainer
Stability Room Temperature: 14 days
Refrigerated (2-8°C): 14 days
Frozen: NOT ACCEPTABLE
Off Site Collections: Ambient/Room Temperature is acceptable. Samples may be refrigerated (2-8°C). Do NOT freeze. Ship ambient or with refrigerated cold pack(s) only. Do NOT use dry ice. Do NOT use frozen cold packs.
Availability Routine: Daily; SeeComments
  STAT: N/A
Turnaround Time   Samples for tacrolimus testing must be in the Core Laboratory by 12pm(noon) for same day testing. 
Results are available by ~5pm.
Reference Range  

5-15 ng/mL (trough, steady state)


Tacrolimus reference ranges vary with protocol, organ type, time since transplant, and patient status. Contact laboratory, pharmacy, or transplant co-ordinator for more information.
Critical  Value Range

Greater than 20 ng/mL

The above ranges are published as rough guidelines only. Concentrations targeted depend upon the drug regimen used, the type of transplant, time post-transplantation, and other clinical factors such as renal function, rejection status, etc.
Comments
  • Methodology: Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry
  • Trough samples are used for routine monitoring, and should be collected immediately before the next dose
  • Multiple test requests with the same sample type will require additional volumes for testing
  • Pediatric microcollection devices available from Phlebotomy Services

Reviewed by J. Carr on November 18, 2025

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