Serum or plasma concentration of bile acids (total)
This test measures the total amount of bile acids in your blood, which helps assess liver function and bile flow. Bile acids are produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder.
["Bile acids help digest fats and signal the liver to produce bile; abnormal levels may indicate liver or gallbladder issues."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 105014-5
- Short code
- GES5PCR
- Synonyms
- blaGES-5 Islt/Spm Ql
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Sterile transport container or appropriate culture swab transport medium (e.g., Copan ESwab, Amies transport medium). Serum separator tube (SST) if serum specimen is used.
- Units
- N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- ≥ 0 years
- Method
- molgen
- CPT
- 87798 (amplified probe technique, each organism) or 87150 (PCR for antimicrobial resistance gene)
- SNOMED
- 122450008
- Specimen volume
- 1-3 mL serum, or per institutional protocol for bacterial isolates and clinical specimens
- Stability
- Serum stable at 2-8°C for 7 days. Frozen at -20°C or below for long-term storage. Transport to laboratory within 2 hours of collection at room temperature or refrigerated conditions.
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 24–72 hours
- Order
- routine
Why Is This Test Done?
Your healthcare provider may order this test to evaluate liver disease, bile duct blockages, or other conditions affecting bile production or flow. It can also help diagnose or monitor conditions like cirrhosis, cholestasis, or bile acid malabsorption.
What to Expect Before the Test
No special preparation is usually needed, but you may be asked to fast for 8–12 hours before the test if your blood is drawn early in the morning. Wear a loose shirt for easy access.
What Happens During the Test
A healthcare professional will draw blood from a vein in your arm. You may feel a slight pinch, but the process is quick. The sample is sent to a lab for analysis of bile acid levels.
Possible Results and Next Steps
Results are compared to your baseline or clinical context. High levels may suggest liver or gallbladder problems, while low levels could indicate malabsorption or other metabolic issues. Your provider will discuss findings with you.
Reference range
Negative (blaGES-5 gene not detected). Positive indicates the presence of the blaGES-5 carbapenemase gene conferring resistance to carbapenem antibiotics.N/A
No fasting required. Specimen should be collected prior to initiation of antibiotic therapy when possible. For bacterial culture or molecular testing, follow standard aseptic collection techniques appropriate to the specimen source.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
◆Associated findings1
Short name
Total Bile Acids
Frequently asked questions
What causes bile acid levels to change?
How long does it take to get results?
Can diet affect bile acid test results?
Sources
- 1
- 2Lab Tests OnlineSource
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy