Carbamazepine concentration in serum/plasma
This test measures the amount of carbamazepine, a medication used to treat certain types of seizures and nerve pain, in your blood.
["Your blood carbamazepine level helps doctors monitor your dose for safety and effectiveness."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 59876-3
- Short code
- CRBMZ-GF
- Synonyms
- carBAMazepine Gast Ql
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Sterile, leak-proof plastic container (gastric aspirate collection container); red-top or green-top sodium heparin tube for serum
- Units
- N/A
- Ref low
- 4
- Ref high
- 12
- Critical range
- — – 15 N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- ≥ 0 years
- Method
- Immunoassay or Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
- CPT
- 80335 (Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry) or 80329 (immunoassay)
- SNOMED
- 387207008
- Specimen volume
- 5-10 mL of gastric fluid
- Stability
- Room temperature: 2 hours; Refrigerated (2-8°C): 7 days; Frozen (-20°C): 30 days
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 1–24 hours
- Order
- routine
Why This Test Is Done
Your healthcare provider may order this test if you’re taking carbamazepine to manage conditions like epilepsy, bipolar disorder, or trigeminal neuralgia. It helps ensure your dose stays within safe levels and avoids side effects, such as dizziness or drowsiness.
How the Test Works
A blood sample is taken from a vein in your arm. The sample is then analyzed using a specialized lab test to measure carbamazepine levels in your blood plasma or serum.
What to Expect Before the Test
No special preparation is needed, but you may want to drink plenty of water the day of the test. If you’re on other medications, let your provider know—some drugs can affect carbamazepine levels.
Possible Results and Interpretation
Results are typically reported as a concentration (e.g., micrograms per milliliter). Your provider will compare these results to your specific dose and medical needs to adjust your treatment if needed.
Reference range
Not applicable for qualitative presence testing; therapeutic serum reference range typically 4-12 mcg/mLN/A
No fasting required. Specimen is typically collected in suspected overdose or poisoning cases via gastric lavage or aspiration.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
Clinical Significance
Short name
Carbamazepine Level
Frequently asked questions
What does a low carbamazepine level mean?
What does a high carbamazepine level mean?
How often should I get this test?
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 17, 2026. · Read our editorial policy