T Helper Cells
Test Code
CD4TH
Description
Collect
Draw one green top (sodium or lithium heparin) or lavender top (EDTA) vacutainer tube.
Yellow top (ACD soln A or B )tubes are also acceptable but tube must be appropriately filled (because of liquid anticoagulant) to preserve sample integrity.
Specimen Preparation
Do not centrifuge! Keep at room temp (18-22°C).
Preferred volume: 4 mL
Pediatric Collection
Minimum volume: 1 mL blood
Unacceptable Conditions
Frozen, clotted, hemolyzed, spun down, citrate anticoagulant (blue top)
Storage Transport Temp
Maintain and transport specimens at room temperature (18-22°C).
Ship specimens Priority Overnight via Fed Ex in container sufficiently insulated to avoid temperature extremes (<10°C and >37°C).
Stability
48 hours at room temperature (18-22°C).
Notes
CBC with Differential results from within 3 days of draw must also be provided or a lavender top included with required specimen to run CBC at ADx.
Samples are accepted Monday through noon on Friday.
Reference Interval
Lymphocyte Subset Normal Range Chart
Interpretation
This panel is useful for assessement and monitoring of T-helper cell percentages and numbers, particularly for HIV positive patients.
CPT Code
86361