Test Code 5NTD 5'-Nucleotidase, Serum
Specimen Required
Supplies: Sarstedt Aliquot Tube, 5 mL (T914)
Collection Container/Tube:
Preferred: Serum gel
Acceptable: Red top
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 1 mL
Collection Instructions: Centrifuge and aliquot serum into plastic vial.
Secondary ID
622835Useful For
Aiding diagnosis and monitoring of hepatobiliary disease and bile duct obstructions
Ruling out bone pathology as the source of elevated serum alkaline phosphatase
Method Name
Coupled Enzyme Kinetic Assay
Reporting Name
5'-Nucleotidase, SSpecimen Type
SerumSpecimen Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Serum | Refrigerated (preferred) | 14 days |
| Frozen | 90 days |
Reject Due To
| Gross hemolysis | Reject |
| Gross lipemia | OK |
| Gross icterus | OK |
Clinical Information
5'-Nucleotidase (5'NT) is an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of the phosphate group from 5'-nucleotides. Increased enzyme levels in sera are associated with certain forms of liver disease, such as intra- or extra-hepatic obstruction, and particularly in cases of hepatic carcinoma and in mastectomy patients with recurrent metastases. 5'NT is specific to hepatobiliary disease, which can make it useful in conjunction with other liver enzyme activity assays, like gamma glutamyl transferase, to differentiate between an increase in alkaline phosphatase due to cholestatic liver disease rather than bone disease (Paget disease).
Reference Values
<4.6 U/L
For International System of Units (SI) conversion for Reference Values, see www.mayocliniclabs.com/order-tests/si-unit-conversion.html.
Interpretation
An elevation of 5'-nucleotidase (5'NT) activity may be seen in all forms of liver disease, although the highest elevations are seen in intra- or extra-hepatic biliary obstruction.
5'-nucelotidase may be more specific for intrahepatic cholestasis than gamma glutamyl transferase.
Elevation of 5'NT activity is not associated with skeletal disease. Thus, measurement of 5'NT in serum can be used to differentiate observed elevations of alkaline phosphatase due to skeletal disease vs. hepatobiliary disease.
CPT Code Information
83915
LOINC Code Information
| Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| 5NTD | 5'-Nucleotidase, S | 1690-7 |
| Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| 5NTD | 5'-Nucleotidase, S | 1690-7 |