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Back to Test Catalogue
Test ID: VITB3

Vitamin B3, Serum/Plasma

Test Overview

Method

Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry

Result Included

Nicotinamide; Nicotinic Acid

Aliases/Synonyms

Nicotinamide; Nicotinic Acid; Niacin

Specimen

Specimen Type

Gel-separator tubes are not acceptable
Serum
Plasma

Containers

Preferred Containers

Red top (No additive)

Acceptable Containers

Lavender top (EDTA)

Volume

Sample Volume

1.0 mL

Minimum Volume

0.5 mL

Specimen Comment

Avoid gel-separator tubes.

Collection & Handling

Handling Information

Store and submit specimen protected from light in an amber vial.
Store and send frozen.

Stability

Ambient Refrigerated Frozen
Unacceptable Unacceptable 30 days

Rejection Criteria

Criteria Specification
Specimen Gel tube or not protected from light

Performance & Interpretation

Turnaround Time

7 days

Results

Name
Units
Reference Range
Conversion
  1. Nicotinamide
    ng/mL

    Comment

    Nicotinamide is a metabolite of nicotinic acid. Due to the large variability in the metabolism of nicotinic acid, plasma concentrations of this metabolite are variable. In one study, fasting plasma concentrations were reported to be approximately 40 ng/mL. In another study it was reported that the administration of a single 1000 mg of extended-release tablet of nicotinic acid resulted in a mean peak nicotinamide concentration of 400 ng/mL between 5 and 10 hours post dose, decreasing to about 100 ng/mL by 16 hours post dose.

  2. Nicotinic Acid
    ng/mL

    Comment

    Due to the large variability in the metabolism of nicotinic acid, the dosing preparation used (immediate-release vs. extended release), and the mg doses used, the serum concentrations may range from less than 20 ng/mL to about 30,000 ng/mL. After oral administration of an immediate-release tablet, peak plasma concentrations occur in 4 to 5 hours. The plasma half-life of nicotinic acid is about one hour. In one study, fasting plasma concentrations were reported to be less than 20 ng/mL. In another study, it was reported that the administration of a single 1000 mg extended-release tablet resulted in mean nicotinic acid concentrations of less than 50 ng/mL.

Referral Location

Out-of-Country

Interface & Setup

HL7 Interface Codes

Order Code Result Name Result Codes Units
VITB3 NICOTINIC ACID 62652 ng/mL
NICOTINAMIDE 62653 ng/mL

Test Version

Last Updated

2022-09-20