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Test Code
HCQS
Test Name
Hydroxychloroquine, Serum
CPT Codes
80220
Expected Turnaround Time
3 - 7 days
Clinical Utility
Monitoring serum hydroxychloroquine concentrations, assessing compliance, and adjusting dosage in patients.
Specimen and Container Info

Specimen Type: Serum

Collection Container: Red Top, Plain

Desired Specimen Volume: 1 mL
Collection Instructions

Collect specimen immediately before next scheduled dose.

  1. Collect a red top, plain tube via venipuncture.
Processing and Submission Instructions
  1. Separate serum from cells within 2 hours of collection.
  2. Transfer 1 mL of serum to a clear aliquot tube (screw cap).
Patient Preparation

Collect specimen immediately before next scheduled dose.
Transport Instructions

Transport to the laboratory refrigerated. 
Stability Requirements

Room Temperature

21 days

Refrigerated

28 days

Frozen

28 days
Methodology
Liquid Chromatography - Tandem Mass Spectrometry (Lc/Ms/Ms)
Reference Intervals

See patient report.
Limitations

Specimens that are obtained from serum gel tubes are not acceptable, as the drug can absorb on the gel and lead to falsely decreased concentrations.
Alternate Names
  • Axemal
  • Quensyl
  • Plaquenil
  • Dolquine
Reference Lab
Mayo Clinic Laboratories
Testing Schedule
Routine, 3 times per week
The American Medical Association (AMA) Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes published by HNL Lab Medicine are guidelines and are intended for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the exclusive responsibility of the billing entity. View the Terms.
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