Carnitinebiosynthesispanelcsf
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 79286-1
- Short code
- CARNCSF
- Synonyms
- Carnitine biosynthesis Panel CSF
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- csf
- Container
- Sterile CSF collection tubes, polypropylene, free of preservatives; tube #2 or #3 typically preferred to minimize blood contamination. Transport aliquot in cryovial at -20°C or below if not analyzed immediately.
- Units
- N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 0–99 years
- Method
- Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
- CPT
- 82017 (Carnitine panel components typically billed individually; may include 82542 for chromatography)
- SNOMED
- 398681008
- Specimen volume
- 1-2 mL of cerebrospinal fluid
- Stability
- Stable for 24 hours at 2-8°C; for extended storage, freeze at -20°C or below. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles. Stable for up to 3 months at -80°C.
- Hemolysis max
- 200
- TAT
- 72–336 hours
- Order
- routine
Reference range
Reference ranges vary by individual analyte within the carnitine biosynthesis intermediate panel; consult individual component reference ranges. CSF carnitine intermediates are typically reported in nmol/L or μmol/L. General interpretive guidelines: Free carnitine, total carnitine, and individual acylcarnitine species (including trimethyllysine, γ-butyrobetaine, and deoxycarnitine) are evaluated against age-matched reference data.N/A
No special patient preparation required. Lumbar puncture should be performed using sterile technique. Inform the ordering provider of any medications, particularly carnitine supplementation, valproic acid, or other anticonvulsants, as these may influence results.
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