Lipase is drawn in a Serum separator tube (SST) at Quest, a Red-top tube, gel-barrier tube, or green-top (lithium heparin) tube. Do not use oxalate, EDTA, or citrate plasma. at LabCorp, and a SST Tube at BioReference.
Lab comparison
Lipase: Quest vs LabCorp vs BioReference, tube, code & requirements
. This page shows collection requirements for all three major reference labs in one view, so you don’t have to cross-check three portals.
Always verify against your lab’s current collection manual before drawing.
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| Requirement | Quest Diagnostics | LabCorp | BioReference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Test code | 606 | 001404 | 0521-5 |
| Primary tube | Serum separator tube (SST) | Red-top tube, gel-barrier tube, or green-top (lithium heparin) tube. Do not use oxalate, EDTA, or citrate plasma. | SST Tube |
| Specimen type | 1 mL serum | Serum (preferred) or plasma | 1 mL SST Tube |
| Patient prep | The assay manufacturer Beckman Coulter advises: N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC), when administered in therapeutic concentrations (for the treatment of acetaminophen overdose), has been determined to interfere with assays for cholesterol and uric acid where "NAC interference may lead to falsely low results." According to Beckman Coulter, the NAC interference should be insignificant by 12 hours after completion of the initial loading dose of an IV infusion treatment regimen consisting of an initial loading dose of 150 mg/kg administered over 1 hour, a second dose of 50 mg/kg administered over 4 hours and a third dose of 100 mg/kg administered over 16 hours. Note: N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI) (metabolite of acetaminophen) will generate erroneously low results in samples for patients that have taken toxic doses of acetaminophen. | The assay manufacturer Beckman Coulter advises: N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC), when administered in therapeutic concentrations (for the treatment of acetaminophen overdose), has been determined to interfere with assays for cholesterol and uric acid where "NAC interference may lead to falsely low results." According to Beckman Coulter, the NAC interference should be insignificant by 12 hours after completion of the initial loading dose of an IV infusion treatment regimen consisting of an initial loading dose of 150 mg/kg administered over 1 hour, a second dose of 50 mg/kg administered over 4 hours and a third dose of 100 mg/kg administered over 16 hours. Note: N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI) (metabolite of acetaminophen) will generate erroneously low results in samples for patients that have taken toxic doses of acetaminophen. | The assay manufacturer Beckman Coulter advises: N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC), when administered in therapeutic concentrations (for the treatment of acetaminophen overdose), has been determined to interfere with assays for cholesterol and uric acid where "NAC interference may lead to falsely low results." According to Beckman Coulter, the NAC interference should be insignificant by 12 hours after completion of the initial loading dose of an IV infusion treatment regimen consisting of an initial loading dose of 150 mg/kg administered over 1 hour, a second dose of 50 mg/kg administered over 4 hours and a third dose of 100 mg/kg administered over 16 hours. Note: N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI) (metabolite of acetaminophen) will generate erroneously low results in samples for patients that have taken toxic doses of acetaminophen. |
| Minimum volume | Minimum volume 0.5 mL | Not stated | Stated with specimen 1 mL |
Frequently asked questions
What is the Quest Diagnostics order code for Lipase?
The Quest Diagnostics order code for Lipase is 606.
What tube color does LabCorp use for Lipase?
LabCorp uses a Red-top tube, gel-barrier tube, or green-top (lithium heparin) tube. Do not use oxalate, EDTA, or citrate plasma. for Lipase.
Does Lipase require fasting?
Lipase patient prep: The assay manufacturer Beckman Coulter advises: N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC), when administered in therapeutic concentrations (for the treatment of acetaminophen overdose), has been determined to interfere with assays for cholesterol and uric acid where "NAC interference may lead to falsely low results." According to Beckman Coulter, the NAC interference should be insignificant by 12 hours after completion of the initial loading dose of an IV infusion treatment regimen consisting of an initial loading dose of 150 mg/kg administered over 1 hour, a second dose of 50 mg/kg administered over 4 hours and a third dose of 100 mg/kg administered over 16 hours. Note: N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI) (metabolite of acetaminophen) will generate erroneously low results in samples for patients that have taken toxic doses of acetaminophen.. Always confirm with the ordering lab before the draw.
Data provenance
Source: Quest Diagnostics specimen collection manual, LabCorp directory of services, and BioReference laboratory collection guide.
Verified by: a licensed nurse practitioner in active clinical practice. Values are reviewed against each lab’s published collection requirements. Always confirm against your lab’s current manual before drawing.
Quest verified by: Mandi Boss B Franklin, Sep 7, 2026
LabCorp verified by: Mandi Boss B Franklin, Sep 7, 2026
BioReference verified by: Mandi Boss B Franklin, Sep 7, 2026
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