Test Id : GLBF
Glucose, Body Fluid
Useful For
Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful
Aiding in the diagnosis of infection using body fluid specimens
Method Name
A short description of the method used to perform the test
Enzymatic Photometric Assay
NY State Available
Indicates the status of NY State approval and if the test is orderable for NY State clients.
Reporting Name
Lists a shorter or abbreviated version of the Published Name for a test
Specimen Type
Describes the specimen type validated for testing
Body Fluid
Ordering Guidance
For spinal fluid specimens, order GLSF / Glucose, Spinal Fluid. Testing will be changed to GLSF if this test is ordered on that specimen type.
Necessary Information
1. Date and time of collection are required.
2. Specimen source is required.
ORDER QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
| Question ID | Description | Answers |
|---|---|---|
| FLD12 | Fluid Type, Glucose |
Specimen Required
Defines the optimal specimen required to perform the test and the preferred volume to complete testing
Specimen Type: Body fluid
Preferred Source:
-Peritoneal fluid (peritoneal, abdominal, ascites, paracentesis)
-Pleural fluid (pleural, chest, thoracentesis)
-Drain fluid (drainage, JP drain)
-Peritoneal dialysate (dialysis fluid)
-Pericardial
-Amniotic fluid+
-Synovial fluid
- Pancreatic cyst
Acceptable Source: Write in source name with source location (if appropriate)
Collection Container/Tube: Sterile container
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 1 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Centrifuge to remove any cellular material and transfer into a plastic vial.
2. Indicate the specimen source and source location on label.
Specimen Minimum Volume
Defines the amount of sample necessary to provide a clinically relevant result as determined by the testing laboratory. The minimum volume is sufficient for one attempt at testing.
0.5 mL
Reject Due To
Identifies specimen types and conditions that may cause the specimen to be rejected
| Gross hemolysis | Reject |
| Gross Lipemia | Reject |
| Gross Icterus | Reject |
| Anticoagulant or additive Breast milk Nasal secretions Gastric secretions Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) or bronchial washings Colostomy/ostomy Feces Saliva Sputum Cerebrospinal fluid Urine Vitreous fluid | Reject |
Specimen Stability Information
Provides a description of the temperatures required to transport a specimen to the performing laboratory, alternate acceptable temperatures are also included
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body Fluid | Refrigerated (preferred) | 7 days | |
| Ambient | 24 hours | ||
| Frozen | 30 days |
Useful For
Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful
Aiding in the diagnosis of infection using body fluid specimens
Clinical Information
Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test
Blood glucose is measured to assess the glycemic state of a patient. Body fluid glucose concentrations that are lower than expected indicate increased cellularity and, therefore, glycolysis within the body fluid space. This serves as an indicator of infection or possibly malignancy. Body fluid glucose concentrations are expected to be lower than that found in serum or plasma. Ideally, they are measured in the fasting state, whereby glucose is able to equilibrate into the space the body fluid is contained within.
Pleural fluid:
Low pleural fluid glucose concentrations (<40-60 mg/dL) indicate a complicated parapneumonic or malignant effusion.(1) However, low glucose is not specific for infection or malignancy and may be attributed to hemothorax, tuberculosis, or rheumatoid or lupus pleuritis, among other diseases. pH is the preferred test for making this determination when available.
Pericardial fluid:
Pericardial fluid glucose levels have been investigated on a limited basis. In presumed normal specimens collected during surgery, pericardial fluid-to-serum ratio for glucose was 1.0 (95% CI, 0.8-1.2).(2)
Peritoneal fluid:
Ascitic fluid glucose should be interpreted in conjunction with serum glucose measurement. In a cohort of noninfected patients with alcohol-related cirrhosis, the mean (SD) ascitic fluid-to-serum glucose ratio was 1.04 (0.25).(3) Ascitic fluid glucose may be helpful in differentiating spontaneous bacterial peritonitis from secondary peritonitis caused by bowel perforation.(4) Secondary peritonitis is likely if 2 of the 3 following criteria are met:
1. Total protein is greater than 1 g/dL
2. Lactate dehydrogenase is greater than 225 IU/L (or greater than the upper limit of normal for serum)
3. Glucose is less than 50 mg/dL(4)
Amniotic fluid:
Amniotic fluid is produced by the amnion and placenta, representing a plasma ultrafiltrate. Amniocentesis may be performed to assess fetal distress. Intraamniotic infection or chorioamnionitis is an acute inflammation of the fetal membranes commonly caused by bacterial infection prompting an inflammatory response leading to labor and term or preterm birth.(5) Chorioamnionitis may be symptomatic (clinical) or asymptomatic (histological), occurring most often during prolonged labor or as a consequence of membrane rupture as bacteria have greater opportunity to ascend the lower genital tract to colonize the uterus. Prompt diagnosis and treatment for clinical chorioamnionitis is critical to avoid maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Culture and gram stain are often used in the assessment of infection, however, gram stain lacks sensitivity and culture results are not returned in a timely enough manner to make clinical decisions. Low glucose concentrations have been associated with positive culture results and consequently poor outcomes.(6)
Synovial fluid:
Synovial fluid is present in joint cavities and serves a number of important roles in maintaining joint health and mobility. Symptoms of joint problems include pain, swelling, stiffness, or decreased range of motion.
Routine analysis of synovial fluid includes Gram stain, culture, crystal analysis, and cell count with white blood cells differential. In normal synovial fluid, glucose concentrations are similar to those observed in fasting serum. Low synovial fluid glucose has been associated with septic arthritis or inflammation.(7)
Pancreatice Cyst:
Pancreatic cyst fluid glucose may be useful for differentiating mucinous from non-mucinous cystic lesions.
Reference Values
Describes reference intervals and additional information for interpretation of test results. May include intervals based on age and sex when appropriate. Intervals are Mayo-derived, unless otherwise designated. If an interpretive report is provided, the reference value field will state this.
An interpretive report will be provided.
Interpretation
Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results
Body fluid glucose concentrations may be decreased due to increased cellular metabolism and should be interpreted in the context of blood glucose concentrations and in conjunction with other laboratory and clinical findings.(8, 9)
Pleural, peritoneal, and pericardial fluid and serum glucose concentrations are similar in the absence of infection.(3)
Transudative pleural fluid glucose concentrations are similar to serum glucose concentrations, while exudates have glucose concentrations less than serum glucose. Glucose levels below 60 mg/dL are typically associated with low fluid pH.(1,10)
Amniotic fluid glucose levels below 16 mg/dL is suggestive of infection.(6)
Synovial fluid glucose concentrations are similar to fasting blood glucose concentrations or approximately 50% of the nonfasting serum glucose concentration under normal conditions. Values below this can be seen with infection.(7)
Pancreatic cyst fluid glucose less than50 mg/dL is associated with mucinous cystic lesions.(13-15)
Cautions
Discusses conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion, including improper specimen collection and handling, inappropriate test selection, and interfering substances
Body fluid glucose results are not diagnostic and should be interpreted in conjunction with other laboratory and clinical findings.
Specimens that have cells present, either due to trauma during collection (ie, blood present) or due to infection (ie, bacteria), that are not centrifuged and separated from cells as soon after collection as possible, may have falsely decreased glucose concentrations owing to the continued metabolic action of cells in vitro.
In very rare cases of gammopathy, in particular type IgM (Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia), may cause unreliable results.
Clinical Reference
Recommendations for in-depth reading of a clinical nature
1. Light RW. Clinical practice. Pleural effusion. N Engl J Med. 2002;346(25):1971-1977
2. Ben-Horin S, Shinfeld A, Kachel E, Chetrit A, Livneh A. The composition of normal pericardial fluid and its implications for diagnosing pericardial effusions. Am J Med. 2005;118(6):636-640
3. Wilson JA, Suguitan EA, Cassidy WA, Parker RH, Chan CH. Characteristics of ascitic fluid in the alcoholic cirrhotic. Dig Dis Sci. 1979;24(8):645-648
4. Runyon BA, Hoefs JC. Ascitic fluid analysis in the differentiation of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis from gastrointestinal tract perforation into ascitic fluid. Hepatology. 1984;4(3):447-450
5. Gonzalez-Bosquet E, Cerqueira MJ, Dominguez C, Gasser I, Bermejo B, Cabero Ll. Amniotic fluid glucose and cytokines values in the early diagnosis of amniotic infection in patients with preterm labor and intact membranes. J Matern Fetal Med. 1999;8(4):155-158
6. Margaretten ME, Kohlwes J, Moore D, Bent S. Does this adult patient have septic arthritis? JAMA. 2007;297(13):1478-1488
7. Knight JA, Kjeldsberg CR: Cerebrospinal, synovial, and serous body fluids. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. Elsevier, 2007;448
8. Brunzel NA: Pleural, pericardial, and peritoneal fluid analysis. In: Fundamentals of Urine and Body Fluid Analysis. WB Saunders Company. 1994;406
9. Sahn SA: Getting the most from pleural fluid analysis. Respirology. 2012;17(2):270-277
10. Meyers DG, Meyers RE, Prendergast TW. The usefulness of diagnostic tests on pericardial fluid. Chest. 1997;111(5):1213-1221
11. Kacerovsky M, Holeckova M, Stepan M, et al. Amniotic fluid glucose level in PPROM pregnancies: a glance at the old friend. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2022;35(12):2247–2259
12. Cotton, SW, Block DR. A review of current practices and future trends in body fluid testing. J Appl Lab Med. 2023;8(5):962-983. doi:10.1093/jalm/jfad014
13. Gyimesi G, Keczer B, Rein P, et al. Diagnostic performance of intracystic carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) versus glucose in differentiation of mucinous and non-mucinous pancreatic cysts. Pathol Oncol Res. 2024;30:1611881. Published 2024 Oct 10. doi:10.3389/pore.2024.1611881
14. Sinha SR, Mondal S, Akhtar MJ, Singh RK, Prakash P. Evaluating Carcinoembryonic Antigen and Glucose Levels in Pancreatic Cyst Fluid for Mucinous Versus Non-mucinous Differentiation. Cureus. 2024;16(6):e62686. Published 2024 Jun 19. doi:10.7759/cureus.62686
15. Ribeiro T, Lopes S, Moutinho-Ribeiro P, Macedo G, Vilas-Boas F. Performance of Intracystic Glucose Measurement for the Characterization of Pancreatic Cystic Lesions. J Gastrointestin Liver Dis. 2024;33(1):74-78. Published 2024 Mar 30. doi:10.15403/jgld-5330
Method Description
Describes how the test is performed and provides a method-specific reference
Glucose, in the presence of hexokinase, is converted to glucose-6-phosphate (G6P). Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) oxidizes G6P in the presence of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP) to gluconate-6-phosphate and NADPH. The rate of NADPH formation is directly proportional to glucose concentration and is measured photometrically.(Package insert: Glucose reagent. Roche Diagnostics; 10/2022)
PDF Report
Indicates whether the report includes an additional document with charts, images or other enriched information
Day(s) Performed
Outlines the days the test is performed. This field reflects the day that the sample must be in the testing laboratory to begin the testing process and includes any specimen preparation and processing time before the test is performed. Some tests are listed as continuously performed, which means that assays are performed multiple times during the day.
Monday through Saturday
Report Available
The interval of time (receipt of sample at Mayo Clinic Laboratories to results available) taking into account standard setup days and weekends. The first day is the time that it typically takes for a result to be available. The last day is the time it might take, accounting for any necessary repeated testing.
Specimen Retention Time
Outlines the length of time after testing that a specimen is kept in the laboratory before it is discarded
Performing Laboratory Location
Indicates the location of the laboratory that performs the test
Fees :
Several factors determine the fee charged to perform a test. Contact your U.S. or International Regional Manager for information about establishing a fee schedule or to learn more about resources to optimize test selection.
- Authorized users can sign in to Test Prices for detailed fee information.
- Clients without access to Test Prices can contact Customer Service 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- Prospective clients should contact their account representative. For assistance, contact Customer Service.
Test Classification
Provides information regarding the medical device classification for laboratory test kits and reagents. Tests may be classified as cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and used per manufacturer instructions, or as products that do not undergo full FDA review and approval, and are then labeled as an Analyte Specific Reagent (ASR) product.
This test has been modified from the manufacturer's instructions. Its performance characteristics were determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. This test has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.
CPT Code Information
Provides guidance in determining the appropriate Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code(s) information for each test or profile. The listed CPT codes reflect Mayo Clinic Laboratories interpretation of CPT coding requirements. It is the responsibility of each laboratory to determine correct CPT codes to use for billing.
CPT codes are provided by the performing laboratory.
CPT codes are provided by the performing laboratory.
82945
LOINC® Information
Provides guidance in determining the Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) values for the order and results codes of this test. LOINC values are provided by the performing laboratory.
| Test Id | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| GLBF | Glucose, BF | 2344-0 |
| Result Id | Test Result Name |
Result LOINC Value
Applies only to results expressed in units of measure originally reported by the performing laboratory. These values do not apply to results that are converted to other units of measure.
|
|---|---|---|
| GL_BF | Glucose, BF | 2344-0 |
| FLD12 | Fluid Type, Glucose | 14725-6 |