If a required test is not listed here, please discuss with the Duty Biochemist.
If the assay required is NOT listed then please contact the department directly. All results are reported with reference ranges and/or an interpretative comment. Advice on appropriate requesting and interpretation of results is available at all times from the Duty Biochemist/Duty Immunologist.
Sample volumes: most routine tests can be performed on 5ml clotted serum sample (brown top), unless otherwise stated below (For paediatric samples a minimum of 1ml of blood is required).
Indicative turnround times are given for non-urgent situations. Our TAT target is that 95% of tests marked * in the table are completed in <4 hours for internal CUH locations and <8 hours for all other locations except where an agreement exists between users and laboratory that we will complete tests more urgently for specimens received from a specific location.
Turnaround times for referral tests are those reported by the the referral laboratory and do not include time taken to post specimens and receive results via the post or electronically. We do not post specimens on a Friday, therefore if samples are received after Thursday they will not be sent until the following Monday, unless they are urgent and this has been agreed with the Duty Biochemist.
If a required test is not listed on our A-Z, please discuss with the Duty Biochemist.
| Test | Sample |
Adult Reference range |
**If referred, site code |
Turnaround time |
Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) | Sample Serum (Brown) |
Adult Reference range < 52 U/L |
**If referred, site code |
Turnaround time 3 working days |
Comments |
| Test ACTH (Adrenocorticotropic hormone) | Sample EDTA (Red) on ICE |
Adult Reference range < 50 ng/L at 9am |
**If referred, site code |
Turnaround time 2 weeks |
Comments
ACTH is UNSTABLE and specimens MUST be brought quickly to the lab. |
| Test ADH (vasopressin) |
Sample
No longer available - replaced by copeptin – please call the Duty Biochemist to discuss |
Adult Reference range |
**If referred, site code |
Turnaround time |
Comments |
| Test Adiponectin |
Sample
Serum preferred but Lithium Heparin or EDTA plasma are acceptable |
Adult Reference range Reference range is likely to be dependant upon age, sex and BMI. A reference range has yet to be established. |
**If referred, site code |
Turnaround time 4 weeks |
Comments |
|
Test
Adrenaline [part of Plasma Catecholamines] |
Sample Lithium Heparin (Orange) |
Adult Reference range Refer to “Plasma Catecholamines”. Do not use to investigate phaeochromocytoma – send 24h HCL urine or EDTA plasma for metanephrines instead. |
**If referred, site code |
Turnaround time |
Comments |
| Test AFP – alpha fetoprotein in pregnancy | Sample Interpretation with report |
Adult Reference range |
**If referred, site code |
Turnaround time |
Comments |
| Test AFP – alpha fetoprotein (tumour marker) |
Sample
Serum (Brown) |
Adult Reference range 0-10 kU/L |
**If referred, site code |
Turnaround time <8 hours* |
Comments
Can also be measured in CSF – send 1ml CSF with paired serum sample (TAT CSF 5 working days) |
| Test Albumin | Sample Serum (Brown) |
Adult Reference range 30 – 45 g/L (Age <1 year) 30 - 50 g/L (Age 1-16years) 35 – 50 g/L (Age ≥16 years) |
**If referred, site code |
Turnaround time <8 hours* |
Comments |
| Test Aldosterone |
Sample
EDTA (Red) |
Adult Reference range 90–405 pmol/L (adults recumbent overnight) 90–720 pmol/L (random sample or upright) |
**If referred, site code |
Turnaround time 2 weeks |
Comments
Concentrations vary with posture and salt intake. Renin sample should be taken at same time. |
| Test ALP (alkaline phosphatase) | Sample Serum (Brown) |
Adult Reference range 30-130 IU/L |
**If referred, site code |
Turnaround time <8 hours* |
Comments Ranges vary for children and in pregnancy. |
| Test Alpha 1 antitrypsin |
Sample
Serum (Brown) |
Adult Reference range 0.78-2.0 g/L |
**If referred, site code |
Turnaround time 1 working day |
Comments Ranges vary for children |
| Test Alpha subunit of pituitary hormones |
Sample
Serum (Brown) |
Adult Reference range Interpretation with report |
**If referred, site code QEH |
Turnaround time 3 weeks |
Comments By prior arrangement with Duty Biochemist only |
| Test ALT (alanine aminotransferase) |
Sample
Serum (Brown) |
Adult Reference range 10-49 IU/L |
**If referred, site code |
Turnaround time <8 hours* |
Comments |
| Test Aluminium | Sample Special tube required – contact lab |
Adult Reference range < 0.4 umol/L (patients with no history of CRF) <2.22 umol/L (in patients with CRF) |
**If referred, site code GUI |
Turnaround time 3 weeks |
Comments |
| Test AMH (Anti Mullerian Hormone) | Sample Serum (Brown) |
Adult Reference range Interpretation with report |
**If referred, site code GLA |
Turnaround time 2 weeks |
Comments
Please note, if taken as part of private IVF it needs to be paid for by patient. |
| Test Amikacin |
Sample
Serum (Brown) |
Adult Reference range Pre dose < 5mg/L |
**If referred, site code |
Turnaround time <8 hours* |
Comments
Collect trough sample just before next dose. Refer to local pharmacy guidelines. |
| Test Amiodarone |
Sample
EDTA (Red) |
Adult Reference range 0.5-2.0 mg/L (amiodarone) 0.5-2.0 mg/L (desethylamiodarone) |
**If referred, site code CAR |
Turnaround time 3 weeks |
Comments
Collect trough sample just before next dose. Note: amiodarone level reported with desethylamiodarone (active metabolite) |
| Test Amitriptyline |
Sample
Serum without gel (White) |
Adult Reference range Interpretation with report |
**If referred, site code SHE |
Turnaround time 3 weeks |
Comments
Collect trough sample just before next dose. By prior arrangement with Duty Biochemist only |
| Test Ammonia | Sample EDTA (red) on ICE |
Adult Reference range 11 - 30 µmol/L |
**If referred, site code |
Turnaround time <2 hours* |
Comments
Send to lab on ice IMMEDIATELY (requires processing within 20 mon of phlebotomy). Ranges vary for children |
| Test Amylase | Sample Serum (Brown) |
Adult Reference range 30 - 118 U/L |
**If referred, site code |
Turnaround time <8 hours* |
Comments Ranges vary for children |
| Test Androstenedione |
Sample
Serum (Brown) |
Adult Reference range Interpretation with report |
**If referred, site code |
Turnaround time 2 weeks |
Comments Ranges vary with gender and maturity |
| Test Antenatal Screening | Sample Interpretation with report |
Adult Reference range |
**If referred, site code |
Turnaround time |
Comments |
| Test Apolipoproteins A and B |
Sample
EDTA (Red) |
Adult Reference range Apo A 1.0 - 2.2 g/L Apo B 0.6 - 1.3 g/L |
**If referred, site code GLA |
Turnaround time 1 week |
Comments |
| Test Arsenic | Sample EDTA (Red) |
Adult Reference range < 0.13 µmol/L |
**If referred, site code KCH |
Turnaround time 3 weeks |
Comments By prior arrangement with Duty Biochemist only |
| Test AST (aspartate aminotransferase) | Sample Serum (Brown) |
Adult Reference range < 34 IU/L |
**If referred, site code |
Turnaround time <8 hours* |
Comments |
| Test B2M (beta-2 microglobulin) | Sample Serum (Brown) |
Adult Reference range 1.0 - 2.4 mg/L |
**If referred, site code |
Turnaround time 1 working day |
Comments |
| Test Beta carotene | Sample No longer available as routine. Only reported as part of Vitamin A and E profile if found to be raised. |
Adult Reference range |
**If referred, site code |
Turnaround time |
Comments |
| Test Bicarbonate (HCO3) | Sample Serum (Brown) |
Adult Reference range 22 - 29 mmol/L |
**If referred, site code |
Turnaround time <8 hours* |
Comments
Bicarbonate is unstable and must reach the laboratory quickly. |
| Test Bile acids |
Sample
Serum (Brown) |
Adult Reference range < 14 µmol/L |
**If referred, site code |
Turnaround time <8 hours* |
Comments
Only useful in pregnancy when obstetric cholestasis is suspected. |
| Test Bilirubin |
Sample
Serum (Brown) |
Adult Reference range 0 - 20 µmol/L 0 - 90 µmol/L (Neonates 0-14 Days) |
**If referred, site code |
Turnaround time <8 hours* |
Comments Also part of liver profile |
| Test Bone profile |
Sample
Serum (Brown) |
Adult Reference range |
**If referred, site code |
Turnaround time <8 hours* |
Comments
Consists of adjusted and total calcium, phosphate, albumin & alkaline phosphatase |
| Test CA 125 |
Sample
Serum (Brown) |
Adult Reference range 0 - 35 kU/L |
**If referred, site code |
Turnaround time 12 hours |
Comments
CA 125 can be raised in a variety of benign conditions including ascites, pelvic inflammatory disease and menstruation. Values within the reference range do not exclude malignancy. |
| Test CA 153 |
Sample
Serum (Brown) |
Adult Reference range 0 - 31 kU/L |
**If referred, site code |
Turnaround time 12 hours |
Comments
CA 153 can be raised in a variety of benign conditions including cirrhosis and benign breast disorders. Values within the reference range do not exclude malignancy. |
| Test CA 199 |
Sample
Serum (Brown) |
Adult Reference range 0 - 35 U/mL |
**If referred, site code |
Turnaround time 12 hours |
Comments
Lewis‐negative individuals do not express CA 19‐9. CA 19-9 can be raised in a variety of benign conditions including obstructive jaundice of any cause. Values within the reference range do not exclude malignancy. |
| Test Caeruloplasmin | Sample Serum (Brown) |
Adult Reference range 0.2 - 0.5 g/L |
**If referred, site code |
Turnaround time <3 working days |
Comments Reference ranges vary in children |
| Test Caffeine | Sample EDTA (red) |
Adult Reference range 5 - 20 mg/L (2 hours post dose) |
**If referred, site code CAR |
Turnaround time 2 weeks |
Comments Take samples 2 hours post dose |
| Test Calcitonin | Sample Serum (Brown) on ICE |
Adult Reference range Male < 11.8 ng/L Female < 4.8 ng/L |
**If referred, site code CHX |
Turnaround time 4 weeks |
Comments Send to lab promptly for immediate freezing of serum. |
| Test Calcium (adjusted) | Sample Serum (Brown) |
Adult Reference range 2.20 - 2.60 mmol/L |
**If referred, site code |
Turnaround time <8 hours* |
Comments Part of BFT profile |
| Test Calcium (total) | Sample Serum (Brown) |
Adult Reference range |
**If referred, site code |
Turnaround time <8 hours* |
Comments Part of BFT profile |
| Test Carbamazepine |
Sample
Serum (Brown) |
Adult Reference range 4 - 12mg/L |
**If referred, site code |
Turnaround time <8 hours* |
Comments Collect trough sample just before next dose |
| Test Carboxy-haemoglobin | Sample Heparinised syringe |
Adult Reference range Non smoker 3% Smoker upto 5% |
**If referred, site code |
Turnaround time <8 hours* |
Comments
Seal with cap provided. Do not send via pneumatic chute. Label sample. |
| Test Catecholamines (plasma) | Sample Lithium Heparin (orange) on ICE |
Adult Reference range Noradrenaline less than 5.0 nmol/L Adrenaline less than 0.8 nmol/L |
**If referred, site code RBH |
Turnaround time 4 weeks |
Comments
Not recommended for investigation of phaeochromocytoma. Request urine or plasma metanephrines instead. |
| Test CEA (carcino embryonic antigen) |
Sample
Serum (Brown) |
Adult Reference range 0 - 5 µg/L |
**If referred, site code |
Turnaround time 12 hours |
Comments Higher values in smokers |
| Test Cholesterol | Sample Serum (Brown) |
Adult Reference range |
**If referred, site code |
Turnaround time <8 hours* |
Comments Refer to Full Lipid Profile |
| Test Cholinesterase (occupational) |
Sample
EDTA (Red) |
Adult Reference range Interpretation with report |
**If referred, site code HSL |
Turnaround time 3 weeks |
Comments For monitoring organophosphate exposure |
| Test Cholinesterase (pseudo) |
Sample
EDTA (Red) |
Adult Reference range Interpretation with report |
**If referred, site code SMB |
Turnaround time 3 weeks |
Comments
For assessment of succinylcholine sensitivity (scoline apnoea) |
| Test Chromium and Cobalt (Joint Replacements) |
Sample
EDTA (Red) |
Adult Reference range Less than or equal to135 nmol/L (Chromium) Less than or equal to 120 nmol/L (Cobalt) |
**If referred, site code GUI |
Turnaround time 2 weeks |
Comments
For use of Orthopaedic teams monitoring Metal-on-Metal hip replacements only. Patients consulting GPs with concerns should be referred back to the responsible surgeon. |
| Test Chromogranin A & B |
Sample
EDTA (Red) on ICE |
Adult Reference range Chromogranin A 0 - 60 pmol/L Chromogranin B 0 - 150 pmol/L |
**If referred, site code CHX |
Turnaround time 4 weeks |
Comments
Send to lab promptly for immediate freezing of plasma. Can be ordered separately or part of Gut Hormone Profile. |
| Test Ciclosporin | Sample EDTA (red) |
Adult Reference range Depends on organ transplanted – refer to local clinical team |
**If referred, site code |
Turnaround time |
Comments
Collect trough sample just before next dose. Service is run Mon – Sat. Cutoff is 10am for same day analysis. |
| Test CK Isoenzymes | Sample Serum (Brown) |
Adult Reference range Interpretation with report |
**If referred, site code RFH |
Turnaround time 5 weeks |
Comments Also tests for Macro CK |
| Test Clobazam | Sample |
Adult Reference range 30 – 300 mg/L |
**If referred, site code TDM |
Turnaround time 1 week |
Comments Collect trough sample just before next dose |
|
Test
Cobalt [part of Chomium and Cobalt (joint replacements) test] |
Sample EDTA (red) |
Adult Reference range |
**If referred, site code GUI |
Turnaround time |
Comments
For use of Orthopaedic teams monitoring Metal-on-Metal hip replacements only. Patients consulting GPs with concerns should be referred back to the responsible surgeon. |
| Test Conjugated Bilirubin | Sample Serum (Brown) |
Adult Reference range 0-3.3 µmol/L |
**If referred, site code |
Turnaround time <8 hours* |
Comments Also known as split bilirubin or direct bilirubin |
| Test Copeptin | Sample Serum (Brown) |
Adult Reference range |
**If referred, site code RVI |
Turnaround time 2 weeks |
Comments Used as a surrogate marker for ADH |
| Test Copper |
Sample
Serum without gel (White) |
Adult Reference range Neonate- 4 months 1.6-7.9 umol/L 4-6 months 4.7-17 umol/L 7-12 months 7.9-20 umol/L Above 12 months and adult 11-25 umol/L Pregnancy greater than 15 weeks 25-39 umol/L |
**If referred, site code BCH |
Turnaround time 2 weeks |
Comments Increased in oral contraceptive use, inflammation. Do not use gel tubes |
| Test Cortisol |
Sample
Serum (Brown) |
Adult Reference range Interpretation given with report |
**If referred, site code |
Turnaround time <8 hours acute <12 hours community |
Comments
Assay cross reacts with exogenous steroids including hydrocortisone and prednisolone. Use overnight dexamethasone for suspected Cushing’s or short synacthen test for suspected adrenal failure. |
| Test C-peptide | Sample serum perferable, lithium heparin or EDTA plasma are acceptable |
Adult Reference range 174 - 960 pmol/L |
**If referred, site code |
Turnaround time 95% requests are completed within 7 days of receipt |
Comments Send to laboratory promptly on ice. |
| Test CRP (C reactive protein) |
Sample
Serum (Brown) |
Adult Reference range 0 - 6 mg/L |
**If referred, site code |
Turnaround time <8 hours* |
Comments |
| Test Creatine Kinase (CK) |
Sample
Serum (Brown) |
Adult Reference range 40-320 U/L (male) 25-200 U/L (female) |
**If referred, site code |
Turnaround time <8 hours* |
Comments
Ranges are for white Caucasian only; other ethnic groups may have higher values |
| Test Creatinine |
Sample
Serum (Brown) |
Adult Reference range 62-115 µmol/L (male) 44-97 µmol/L (female) |
**If referred, site code |
Turnaround time <8 hours* |
Comments Ranges vary in children |
| Test CTX | Sample EDTA (Red) |
Adult Reference range Interpretation with report |
**If referred, site code NNUH |
Turnaround time 3 weeks |
Comments
Patient should be fasted. Ranges vary in children |