Lab Information Manual

Laboratory:

Clinical Biochemistry (SENDOUTS)

Test Name:

VITAMIN B3 (NIACIN) - (P)

Test Code: MISC

Clinical Information:

Test Indications: Vitamin B3 is the term refereed to a group of closely related water-soluble pyridine derivatives, primarily derived from tryptophan. Nicotinic Acid (Niacin) is converted to Nicotinamide which will serve as the precursor of nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and NAD phosphate (NADP), essential coenzymes for numerous dehydrogenases. Nicotinuric acid is a major inactive metabolite of niacin and nicotinamide.

Vitamin B3 deficiency is rare. No abnormal levels were detected in a review of two years of results from patients in Manitoba . Severe vitamin B3 deficiency manifests as a distinct clinical syndrome, called pellagra, which is clinically characterized by the "3Ds": dermatitis, diarrhea, and dementia.

Test Approval Requirements: F260-11-02 Biochemistry Approval for Test Referral Form

Patient preparation instructions: Fasting greater than 4 hours is required. Patient must not take vitamins or supplements during the fasting period. Taking multivitamin supplements containing Vitamin B3 (Niacin) can result in elevated plasma vitamin B3 concentrations and may mask the suspected deficiency.

Collection Devices:

Preferred Device:

1 - EDTA 4 mL NO GEL Tube(s) - Full Tube Collection

EDTA 4 mL NO GEL Tube(s) - Full Tube Collection
Manufacturer: Becton Dickinson & Company

Catalogue #: 367861

Specimen Required:

Plasma: 1.5 mL

Pediatric Plasma: 0.75 mL

Collection Information: Send immediately to laboratory. Blood must be centrifuged within 30 minutes of collection and plasma transferred to a plastic amber vial to protect from light and frozen.
Specimen Stability:
Frozen: 30 days
Gel tubes are not acceptable. Samples not protected from light will be rejected.

Referral:

Plasma: 1.5 mL

Pediatric Plasma: 0.75 mL

Shipping & Storage: Transfer the separated plasma into a plastic amber vial to protect from light. Store and send frozen to In Common Lab Test ID: VITB3
Referred Out Location: In Common Laboratory

Requisition:

_SH Biochemistry Hematology Requisition (R250-10-92)

_SH Hospital Biochemistry Hematology Non Winnipeg Brandon (R250-10-91)

_SH Winnipeg Brandon Biochemistry Hematology Requisition (R250-10-94)

_SH Winnipeg Brandon Hospital Biochemistry Hematology Requisition (R250-10-93)

Reference Values:

Reference Intervals: Reference Values from In Common Lab
Method of Analysis: Vitamin B3 components (nicotinic acid/niacin, nicotinamide, nicotinuric acid) are analyzed by Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry.

Availability:

Within 2 Weeks