Update Type: Test Resumed
Test Updated: 03/26/2024
Test Overview
Test Methodology

Electrochemiluminescence

Test Usage

Evaluation of patients with suspected systemic infection, in particular infection caused by gram-negative bacteria detection and for evaluation of patients with suspected chronic inflammatory disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, or ankylosing spondylitis.

Reference Range *

< or =2.8 pg/mL

* Reference ranges may change over time. Please refer to the original patient report when evaluating results.

Test Limitations

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha is a nonspecific marker associated with an inflammatory response, and is not diagnostic for any specific disease or disease process. Elevated concentrations of TNF-alpha must be interpreted within the clinical context of the patient. Normal concentrations of TNF-alpha do not exclude the possibility of an ongoing inflammatory process.

Test Details
Days Set Up
Thursday
Analytic Time

2 - 9 days

Soft Order Code
TNFA
MiChart Code
Tumor Necrosis Factor - Alpha
Synonyms
  • alpha-Tumor Necrosis Factor
  • TNF-Alpha, Highly Sensitive
Laboratory
Sendout
Reference Laboratory
Mayo TNFA
Section
Special Testing
Specimen Requirements
Collection Instructions

Collect specimen in a lavender top tube and immediately place on wet ice. Centrifuge, aliquot plasma into a plastic vial and freeze within 30 minutes of collection.

Normal Volume
0.5 mL plasma
Minimum Volume
0.3 mL plasma
Additional Information

Test sent to Mayo Clinic Laboratories.

Billing
CPT Code
83520
Fee Code
32166