Alpha Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone

Last Modified: 7/18/2016 7:43:54 AM


Patient Preparation: Fasting Specimen is preferred. 
Patient should be freee from medications for 2 days.
Specimen Requirements: 3.0 mL Plasma from a Lavender Top Tube - EDTA in a Plastic Vial
Minimum Volume: 1.0 mL Plasma
Transport & Storage: Temperature/Stability:

6 hours Refrigerated
90 days Frozen
Rejection Criteria: Recieved ambient or refrigerated
Reference Range: Children: Up to  25 pg/ml
Adults: Up to 5.0 pg/ml
Methodology: Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Immunot assay * Extraction
Clinical Significance: Alpha MSH is a 13 amino acid peptide (1665 kD) with serine at the N terminal end and amidated valine at the C terminal end. Alpha MSH is derived from pro-opiomelanocortin , a precursor protein which contains within its structure , the sequence of ACTH, beta MSH and gamma MSH. The aminoacid sequence of alpha MSH is identical to ACTH 1-13 in humans. Alpha MSH stimulates melanosome dispersion within dermal melanocytes and melanin biosynthesis within epidermal melanocytes .It also stimulates aldosterone synthesis. Plasma alpha MSH increases in human with high fever due to endotoxin. Average plasma alpha MSH has been found higher in AIDS patients and also in obese men with insulin resistance.
Custom Panel: No

PRODUCTION SCHEDULE

Turn Around Time: 4 to 7 days
Days Performed: Thursday
Sites Performed: Quest - Chantilly
Other Testing Facility: Pan Laboratories
PHL Test Code: MSOT
EPIC Test Code:
Send Out Test Code: 91898
Alternate Test Names: a-MSH
CPT Coding: 83520

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