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HelpTest Code VITB3 Vitamin B3 and Metabolites, Plasma
Specimen Required
Patient Preparation: Fasting 4 to 8 hours preferred
Supplies: Sarstedt Aliquot Tube 5 mL (T914)
Collection Container/Tube:
Preferred: Lavender top (K2 EDTA)
Acceptable: K3 EDTA
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 1.5 mL
Collection Instructions: Centrifuge and aliquot plasma into a plastic vial within 2 hours of collection.
Useful For
Assisting in the diagnosis of suspected vitamin B3 deficiency or toxicity
May be useful in determining response to therapy
Method Name
Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
Reporting Name
Vitamin B3 and Metabolites, PSpecimen Type
Plasma EDTASpecimen Minimum Volume
0.75 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plasma EDTA | Refrigerated (preferred) | 28 days | |
| Frozen | 28 days | ||
| Ambient | 21 days |
Reference Values
Nicotinic Acid (Niacin) Cutoff: <5.0 ng/mL
Nicotinamide: 5.0-48.0 ng/mL
Nicotinuric Acid Cutoff: <5.0 ng/mL
Interpretation
Nicotinamide concentrations below the established reference range indicate a deficiency.
Niacin or nicotinamide concentrations that exceed the upper reference range substantially suggest potential toxicity in patients with excessive supplement intake or under niacin treatment for hypercholesterinemia.
Clinical Reference
1. Delgado-Sanchez L, Godkar D, Niranjan S: Pellagra. Rekindling of an old flame. Am J Ther. 2008;15(2):173-175. doi: 110.1097/MJT.1090b1013e31815ae31309
2. EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA): A Scientific opinion on dietary reference values for niacin. EFSA Journal. 2014;12(7):3759. doi: 10.2903/j.efsa.2014.3759
3. Expert Group on Vitamins and Minerals: Safe Upper Levels for Vitamins and Minerals. Food Standard Agency; 2003:1-361. Accessed April 23, 2024. Available at https://cot.food.gov.uk/sites/default/files/vitmin2003.pdf
4. Fu CS, Swendseid ME, Jacob RA, McKee RW. Biochemical markers for assessment of niacin status in young men: Levels of erythrocyte niacin coenzymes and plasma tryptophan. J Nutr. 1989;119(12):1949-1955
5. Powers HJ. Current knowledge concerning optimum nutritional status of riboflavin, niacin and pyridoxine. Proc Nutr Soc. 1999;58(2):435-440
6. Shah GM, Shah RG, Veillette H, et al. Biochemical assessment of niacin deficiency among carcinoid cancer patients. Am J Gastroenterol. 2005;100(10): 2307-2314. doi: 2310.1111/j.1572-0241.2005.00268.x
7. Sun WP, Zhai MZ, Li D, et al. Comparison of the effects of nicotinic acid and nicotinamide degradation on plasma betaine and choline levels. Clin Nutr. 2017;36(4):1136-1142
Day(s) Performed
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
Report Available
2 to 4 daysPerforming Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
Test Classification
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.CPT Code Information
84591
LOINC Code Information
| Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| VITB3 | Vitamin B3 and Metabolites, P | 102102-1 |
| Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| 609493 | Nicotinic Acid (Niacin) | 18244-4 |
| 609494 | Nicotinamide | 56961-6 |
| 609495 | Nicotinuric Acid | 72306-4 |