FILL OUT TEST REQUEST FORM FULLY & LEGIBLY. PROVIDE CLINICAL HISTORY & PATIENT'S CURRENT DRUG HISTORY (MULTIPLE DRUGS CAN INCREASE OR DECREASE 5-SEROTONIN LEVELS; CONSULT PATHOLOGIST IF IN DOUBT). DISCONTINUE SELECTIVE SEROTONIN REUPTAKE INHIBITORS (SSRIs).
Patient preparation
DO NOT CONSUME FOODS RICH IN SEROTONIN (E.G. AVOCADOS, BANANAS, PINEAPPLE, MELONS, TOMATOES, EGGPLANTS, NUTS ETC.) FOR 48-72 HOURS PRIOR TO SAMPLE COLLECTION. AVOID STRENUOUS EXERCISE.
Sample type
SERUM.
Container/ preservative
SERUM SEPARATOR TUBE (SST/ GEL) OR PLAIN (RED TOP) VACUTAINER.
CENTRIFUGE SST (SERUM GEL TUBES) WITHIN 1-2 HOURS OF COLLECTION. CENTRIFUGE RED TOP VACUTAINERS AND ALIQUOT SERUM WITHIN 1-2 HOURS OF COLLECTION. THE SEPARATION VIAL MUST BE LABELED WITH AT LEAST 2 PATIENT IDENTIFIERS AND THE SAMPLE TYPE.
Reference intervals
AGE & GENDER APPROPRIATE VALUES ARE PROVIDED ON THE REPORT.
Clinical Utility
DIAGNOSIS & MONITORING OF NEUROENDOCRINE TUMORS/ CARCINOID TUMORS.
Test Limitations/ Confounders
DIETARY & DRUG RESTRICTIONS APPLY. RESULTS SHOULD ALWAYS BE CORRELATED WITH CLINICAL FINDINGS & RESULTS OF OTHER DIAGNOSTIC WORK-UP E.G. IMAGING, TISSUE BIOPSY FINDINGS.