| Laboratory: | Clinical Biochemistry | ||||||||
| Test Name: |
HAPTOGLOBIN - (P)
Test Code:
HPT
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| Clinical Information: |
Haptoglobin is a transport and acute phase protein synthesized in hepatocytes. It is important for binding free hemoglobin from lysed red cells in vivo, preventing its toxic effects. Because haptoglobin levels become depleted in the presence of pathologic amounts of free hemoglobin, a low haptoglobin level is a marker of intravascular hemolysis. As a low haptoglobin is slow to normalize after recovery, hemoglobin and lactate dehydrogenase are more useful markers to monitor hemolysis.
Neonatal plasma specimens usually do not contain measurable haptoglobin until about 6 months of age. Adult levels are achieved by 1 year. Haptoglobin is an acute phase reactant and increases with inflammation or tissue necrosis. Acute-phase response may be confirmed or monitored by assay of other acute-phase reactants such as C-reactive protein. |
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| Collection Devices: |
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| Specimen Required: |
Plasma: 2.0 mL
Pediatric Plasma: 0.2 mL
Specimen Stability: Refrigerated: Stability 8 months refrigerated, 3 months frozen |
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| Referral: |
Serum: 2.0 mL
Samples must be transferred to an aliquot tube and stored frozen if analysis will not be complete within 48 hours (#110-10-05 Serum / Plasma Separation Procedure & Transport)
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| Requisition: | |||||||||
| Reference Values: |
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| Availability: |
Daily
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| See Also: | |||||||||
| More Information: |
Samples with visible hemolysis are not acceptable and must be recollected.
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