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HelpTest Code VITB3 Vitamin B3 and Metabolites, Plasma
Specimen Required
Patient Preparation:
Fasting: 4 hours, preferred but not required
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 Plasma
Collection Instructions: Within 2 hours of collection, centrifuge and aliquot plasma into a plastic vial.
Useful For
Assessment of vitamin B3 status
Aid in the diagnosis of pellagra
Assisting in the diagnosis of suspected vitamin B3 deficiency or toxicity
Monitoring of vitamin B3 therapy
Method Name
Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
Reporting Name
Vitamin B3 and Metabolites, PSpecimen Type
Plasma EDTASpecimen Minimum Volume
Plasma: 0.75 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 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 March 17, 2026. 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
8. Sodi R, Taylor A. Vitamins and trace elements. In: Rifai N, Horvath AR, Wittwer CT, eds. Tietz Fundamentals of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics. 8th ed. Elsevier; 2020:466-487
9. Niacin- Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. US Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health. Updated November 18, 2022. Accessed March 17, 2026. Available at https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Niacin-HealthProfessional/
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 |