Test Code FRAG Osmotic Fragility, Erythrocytes
Additional Codes
ALAB: Y8Z
Powerchart: Osmotic Fragility Erythrocytes
MA Cerner: Osmostic Fragility, Erythrocytes
Reporting Name
Osmotic Fragility, RBCUseful For
Evaluation of suspected hereditary spherocytosis associated hemolytic anemia
Confirming or detecting mild spherocytosis
Profile Information
Test ID | Reporting Name | Available Separately | Always Performed |
---|---|---|---|
FRAGO | Osmotic Fragility | No | Yes |
SCTRL | Shipping Control Vial | No | Yes |
Performing Laboratory

Specimen Type
ControlWhole Blood EDTA
Ordering Guidance
Additional Testing Requirements
Shipping Instructions
Specimens must arrive within 72 hours of collection.
Necessary Information
Patient's age and sex are required.
Specimen Required
Both a whole blood EDTA specimen and a control specimen are required as temperature extremes can increase the fragility of the specimen and cause false-positive results.
Patient:
Container/Tube: Lavender top (EDTA)
Specimen Volume: 4 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Immediately refrigerate specimen after collection. Refrigerate at 0 to 4° C. Do not freeze. Freezing causes sample lysis, and tests will not be performed on hemolyzed specimens.
2. Send specimen in original tube. Do not aliquot.
3. Rubber band patient specimen and control vial together. Control must accompany the patient sample at all times to ensure the reliability of testing results.
4. Be sure specimen and control are stored and transported together at refrigerated temperature, carefully following proper handling and shipping instructions.
Normal Shipping Control:
Specimen Type: Whole blood
Container/Tube: Lavender top (EDTA)
Specimen Volume: 4 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Draw a control specimen from a normal (healthy), unrelated, nonsmoking person at the same time as the patient.
2. Handwrite "normal control" clearly on the outermost label.
3. Immediately refrigerate specimen after collection. Refrigerate at 0 to 4° C. Do not freeze. Freezing causes sample lysis, and tests will not be performed on hemolyzed specimens.
4. Send specimen in original tube. Do not aliquot.
5. Rubber band patient specimen and control vial together. Control must accompany the patient sample at all times to ensure the reliability of testing results.
Specimen Minimum Volume
2 mL
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
---|---|---|---|
Control | Refrigerated | 72 hours | PURPLE OR PINK TOP/EDTA |
Whole Blood EDTA | Refrigerated | 72 hours |
Reference Values
≥12 months:
0.50 g/dL NaCl (unincubated): 3-53% hemolysis
0.60 g/dL NaCl (incubated): 14-74% hemolysis
0.65 g/dL NaCl (incubated): 4-40% hemolysis
0.75 g/dL NaCl (incubated): 1-11% hemolysis
Reference values have not been established for patients who are <12 months of age.
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Saturday
Test Classification
This test was developed, and its performance characteristics 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
85557
LOINC Code Information
Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
---|---|---|
FRAG | Osmotic Fragility, RBC | 98904-6 |
Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
---|---|---|
9064 | Osmotic Fragility, RBC | 34964-7 |
SCTRL | Shipping Control Vial | 40431-9 |
3306 | Osmotic Fragility, 0.50 g/dL NaCl | 23915-2 |
3307 | Osmotic Fragility, 0.60 g/dL NaCl | 23918-6 |
3308 | Osmotic Fragility, 0.65 g/dL NaCl | 23920-2 |
3309 | Osmotic Fragility, 0.75 g/dL NaCl | 23921-0 |
3310 | Osmotic Fragility Comment | 59466-3 |
Report Available
2 to 5 daysReject Due To
Gross hemolysis | Reject |
Clotted blood | Reject |
Method Name
Osmotic Lysis
Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Benign Hematology Test Request (T755) with the specimen.