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25240 Pipecolic Acid, Serum (PIPA)

Pipecolic Acid, Serum (PIPA)
Test Code: PIPASO
Useful For

​Differential diagnosis between disorders of peroxisomal biogenesis (eg., Zellweger syndrome) and disorders with loss of a single peroxisomal function.


Be aware that levels of pipecolic acid can be normal in newborns. Abnormal levels of pipecolic acid should be interpreted together with the results of other biochemical markers of peroxisomal disorders, such as plasma C22-C26 very long-chain fatty acids, phytanic acid, pristanic acid, RBC plasmalogens, and bile acid intermediates.

Specimen Requirements
Fasting Required Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)		 Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
​YES-12 hour fast or prior to next feeding for infants/small children ​Serum ​Red Top Tube (RTT) ​Serum Separatory Tube (SST) ​1.5 mL ​1.0 mL ​
Collection Processing Instructions
​Centrifuge within 45 minutes of collection
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature Time
​Serum ​Frozen ​30 days
Rejection Criteria
Samples that are not frozen
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
​Mayo Medical Laboratories ​Batched 2 times per month ​2 days ​GC-MS
Reference Lab
Mayo Clinic Laboratories
Reference Range Information
Interpretive report
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)		 Quantity Description Comments
82542 ​ ​ ​ ​
Ordering Applications
Ordering Application Description
If the ordering application you are looking for is not listed, contact your local laboratory for assistance.
Specimen Requirements
Fasting Required Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)		 Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
​YES-12 hour fast or prior to next feeding for infants/small children ​Serum ​Red Top Tube (RTT) ​Serum Separatory Tube (SST) ​1.5 mL ​1.0 mL ​
Collection Processing
​Centrifuge within 45 minutes of collection
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature Time
​Serum ​Frozen ​30 days
Rejection Criteria
Samples that are not frozen
Useful For

​Differential diagnosis between disorders of peroxisomal biogenesis (eg., Zellweger syndrome) and disorders with loss of a single peroxisomal function.


Be aware that levels of pipecolic acid can be normal in newborns. Abnormal levels of pipecolic acid should be interpreted together with the results of other biochemical markers of peroxisomal disorders, such as plasma C22-C26 very long-chain fatty acids, phytanic acid, pristanic acid, RBC plasmalogens, and bile acid intermediates.

Reference Range Information
Interpretive report
For more information visit:
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
​Mayo Medical Laboratories ​Batched 2 times per month ​2 days ​GC-MS
Reference Lab
Mayo Clinic Laboratories
For billing questions, see Contacts
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)		 Quantity Description Comments
82542 ​ ​ ​ ​
For most current information refer to the Marshfield Laboratory online reference manual.