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23384 Synovial Fluid Chemistries

Synovial Fluid Chemistries
Test Code: SFCHM
Synonyms/Keywords
SF Protein, Glucose, Uric Acid​
Test Components
Results will include specimen source, color, clarity, and quantitative results for glucose, protein, and uric acid.​
Specimen Requirements
Fasting Required Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)
Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
No​ Synovial Fluid​
Red Top Tube (RTT)
or
Sterile plain tube with no preservatives 
1 mL​ 0.5 mL​
Collection Processing Instructions
​1 mL synovial fluid to be collected in red top tube or sterile plain tube with no preservatives.
Cellular material should be separated from the fluid within 60 minutes by centrifugation.
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature Time
Synovial Fluid - Glucose​ Refrigerate​ 7 days​
​Synovial Fluid - Total Protein ​Refrigerate ​3 days
​Synovial Fluid - Uric Acid ​Refrigerate ​5 days
Rejection Criteria
Specimens collected in gel separator tubes
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
​Eau Claire ​Monday through Sunday ​Less than 2 hours Siemens Dimension
​Flambeau ​Monday through Sunday ​Less than 2 hours ​Siemens Dimension
​Marshfield​ ​Monday through Sunday​ ​Less than 2 hours ​Beckman AU
Test Information
​Results will include specimen source, color, clarity, and quantitative results for glucose, protein, and uric acid. If large numbers of leukocytes are present in synovial fluid then glucose should be tested within one hour for optimum results, as in-vitro glycolysis will falsely reduce the glucose concentration..
Reference Range Information
Performing Location Reference Range
 All Performing Sites ​ Color: Straw
Clarity: Clear
The Reference range has not been established for Glucose, Total Protein and Uric acid in synovial fluid. Results should be interpreted with simultaneous measurement of serum/plasma levels.
 
Glucose:
The Serum–Synovial fluid difference <10 mg/dl in normal and non-inflammatory conditions. Proper interpretation of glucose requires comparison with fasting serum glucose.
 
Total Protein:
The reference interval proposed in literature is <3 g/dL. Measurement of total protein in synovial fluid is non-specific. Total protein sensitivity and specificity to detect inflammatory disorders is low.
 
Uric Acid:
Uric acids levels in synovial fluid generally but not always parallel serum uric acid levels in normal and non-inflammatory arthropathies. In inflammatory joint disorders uric acid levels may be significantly lower than in paired serum samples. Increased synovial fluid uric acid levels support the diagnosis of gout and are useful in suspected gout where crystals cannot be identified.
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)
Quantity Description Comments
82945  ​  Glucose, other than blood  ​
84157 ​ Protein​
84560​ Uric acid​
Synonyms/Keywords
SF Protein, Glucose, Uric Acid​
Test Components
Results will include specimen source, color, clarity, and quantitative results for glucose, protein, and uric acid.​
Ordering Applications
Ordering Application Description
​Centricity ​Synovial Fluid Chemistries Only
​Cerner ​Synovial Fluid Chemistries Only
If the ordering application you are looking for is not listed, contact your local laboratory for assistance.
Specimen Requirements
Fasting Required Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)
Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
No​ Synovial Fluid​
Red Top Tube (RTT)
or
Sterile plain tube with no preservatives 
1 mL​ 0.5 mL​
Collection Processing
​1 mL synovial fluid to be collected in red top tube or sterile plain tube with no preservatives.
Cellular material should be separated from the fluid within 60 minutes by centrifugation.
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature Time
Synovial Fluid - Glucose​ Refrigerate​ 7 days​
​Synovial Fluid - Total Protein ​Refrigerate ​3 days
​Synovial Fluid - Uric Acid ​Refrigerate ​5 days
Rejection Criteria
Specimens collected in gel separator tubes
Test Components
Results will include specimen source, color, clarity, and quantitative results for glucose, protein, and uric acid.​
Reference Range Information
Performing Location Reference Range
 All Performing Sites ​ Color: Straw
Clarity: Clear
The Reference range has not been established for Glucose, Total Protein and Uric acid in synovial fluid. Results should be interpreted with simultaneous measurement of serum/plasma levels.
 
Glucose:
The Serum–Synovial fluid difference <10 mg/dl in normal and non-inflammatory conditions. Proper interpretation of glucose requires comparison with fasting serum glucose.
 
Total Protein:
The reference interval proposed in literature is <3 g/dL. Measurement of total protein in synovial fluid is non-specific. Total protein sensitivity and specificity to detect inflammatory disorders is low.
 
Uric Acid:
Uric acids levels in synovial fluid generally but not always parallel serum uric acid levels in normal and non-inflammatory arthropathies. In inflammatory joint disorders uric acid levels may be significantly lower than in paired serum samples. Increased synovial fluid uric acid levels support the diagnosis of gout and are useful in suspected gout where crystals cannot be identified.
For more information visit:
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
​Eau Claire ​Monday through Sunday ​Less than 2 hours Siemens Dimension
​Flambeau ​Monday through Sunday ​Less than 2 hours ​Siemens Dimension
​Marshfield​ ​Monday through Sunday​ ​Less than 2 hours ​Beckman AU
For billing questions, see Contacts
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)
Quantity Description Comments
82945  ​  Glucose, other than blood  ​
84157 ​ Protein​
84560​ Uric acid​
For most current information refer to the Marshfield Laboratory online reference manual.