How to Order the DPD Enzyme Assay:

To our knowledge, we are the only lab currently offering this DPD enzyme assay.

In the Birmingham, AL area:
Call or email ITT Labs at (205) 533-7162 or DPD@ittlabs.com to arrange specimen pick-up or delivery and complete the Test Request Form.

Outside of the Birmingham, AL area:
Print out and complete the Test Request Form –Fax this form to (205) 930-0082.
Call or email ITT Labs at (205) 533-7162 or DPD@ittlabs.com to notify laboratory personnel that a sample for the DPD enzyme assay will be shipped.

Collect and package the sample as described below and ship the patient sample overnight to arrive at ITT Labs the following morning by 10:30 am (for example, via FedEx Priority Overnight).

Cost of Assay:
$ 450.00 to isolate the peripheral blood mononuclear cells from the blood specimen and perform the DPD enzyme assay. DPD enzyme assay results will be returned to the requesting physician within approximately 3 business days.

Payment Options:
Health Insurance Reimbursement (for Alabama residents)
Patient Payment

For Alabama residents with insurance coverage by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama, ITT Labs is currently petitioning Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama to cover the DPD enzyme assay, and we will update the website as soon as we have more information regarding insurance reimbursement for the DPD enzyme deficiency test.

Blood Specimen Collection:
15-20 ml of peripheral blood drawn from the patient into 3-4 of the plastic 5ml sodium heparinized tubes (dark green top). Mix the blood by inverting the tubes and store them at room temperature (20-25°C/68-77°F). Whole blood samples must be collected and shipped overnight on the same day.

Causes for Specimen Rejection:
Frozen or refrigerated specimen, blood clotting, improper collection tubes, volume of blood not sufficient for analysis, exposure to high temperatures (above 30°C/86°F)

Materials required:
1. BD Vacutainer blood collection set (butterfly)
2. BD Vacutainer holder
3. BD Vacutainer collection tubes (5 ml plastic tubes containing sodium heparin for anticoagulation)

Step 1: Remove the blood collection set from the packaging and attach it to the BD Vacutainer holder. Never use a blood collection set without the holder.

Step 2: Access the vein using standard needle insertion techniques. If the vein is properly accessed, blood will enter the tubing.

Step 3: While the needle is still in the vein, apply the blood collection tube to the BD Vacutainer holder until the tube is filled with blood. Remove the tube from the holder and insert a new tube until 15-20 ml of blood is obtained in 3-4 blood collection tubes.

Step 4: Upon completion of blood specimen collection, apply light pressure to vein and withdraw the blood collection set.
IMPORTANT: Invert the blood collection tubes several times to adequately mix the blood and heparin. Label tubes with patient name, and store the blood specimen at room temperature. Do not refrigerate!

Specimen Packaging and Shipping:
The shipper is required to comply with all applicable federal rules and guidelines for transport of medical specimens. Failure to follow instructions for packaging and shipping specimens can result in the delay, loss, or destruction of your specimen.

Packaging Requirements:
Regulations require that packages containing liquid clinical samples include four basic layers of packaging:

1. Primary watertight inner receptacle: Blood collection tubes with push-on lid taped to ensure that they are leak-proof.
2. Absorbent material: Wrap the blood collection tubes in a paper towel.
3. Secondary watertight receptacle: Place the wrapped blood collection tubes in a sealed plastic biohazard bag and place this bag in a Styrofoam cooler. Seal the Styrofoam cooler with adhesive tape.
4. Place the Styrofoam cooler in a cardboard box and seal the box with adhesive tape.

Liquid Clinical Sample Marking Requirements:
For Non-Infectious liquid clinical samples: Include a marking on the outer package that properly identifies the shipment as “Exempt Human Specimen.”

Additional information for shipping non-infectious clinical samples can be seen at the following site:
http://www.fedex.com/us/packaging/guides/Clinical_fxcom.pdf

For Infectious liquid clinical samples (defined as Category B): Include a marking on the outer package that properly identifies the shipment as “BIOLOGICAL SUBSTANCE CATEGORY B”, adjacent to the following diamond shaped mark:

An infectious substance is defined as a material known or reasonably expected to contain a pathogen. A pathogen is a microorganism (including bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi, or other agent such as a prion), that can cause disease in humans or animals. A category B infectious substance is not in a form generally capable of causing permanent disability or life-threatening or fatal disease in otherwise healthy humans or animals when exposure to it occurs.

Additional information for shipping infectious clinical samples can be seen at the following site:
http://images.fedex.com/us/services/pdf/PKG_Pointers_Specimens_2007.pdf

The specimens are now ready to be shipped overnight to arrive at ITT Labs by 10:30 am the following morning (for example, via FedEx Priority Overnight). Shipper assumes responsibility of the shipping charges.

Ship the sample overnight Monday through Thursday only to:

ITT Labs
Attn: Holly Thomas
1601 12th Avenue South – First Floor
Birmingham, AL 35205
(205) 533-7162