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 | Turn-around time | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test Enhanced Liver Fibrosis (ELF) | Sample Serum |
Adult reference range
<7.7 no to mild liver fibrosis |
**If referred, site code | Turn-around time 8 hours |
Comments
Note this test is expected to be introduced in January 2023 but please contact Duty Biochemist to confirm availability before sending samples the first time. This is an algorithm the quantitative measurements of hyaluronic acid (HA), amino-terminal propeptide of type III procollagen (PIIINP) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP‑1) in human serum. useful to assess the status of liver fibrosis in patients who have been diagnosed with chronic liver disease. The ELF score may be useful as a baseline determination of liver fibrosis; for monitoring changes in fibrosis over time (natural history); before, during, and after therapy or lifestyle modification; and as an aid in determining prognosis |
| Test Erythropoetin |
Sample
Serum (Brown) |
Adult reference range 4.3-29.0 IU/l | **If referred, site code | Turn-around time 7 days | Comments |
| Test Ethanol |
Sample
Fluoride (Yellow) |
Adult reference range | **If referred, site code | Turn-around time <8 hours* | Comments Not to be used for medico legal or forensic purposes. |
| Test Ethosuximide |
Sample
Serum without gel (White) |
Adult reference range 280 - 700 µmol/L | **If referred, site code TDM | Turn-around time 1 week | Comments Collect trough sample just before next dose |
| Test Ethylene Glycol |
Sample
Serum without gel (White) |
Adult reference range | **If referred, site code BCH | Turn-around time 2 weeks (non-urgent) | Comments Contact the Duty Biochemist if this is required urgently |
| Test Ferritin | Sample Serum (Brown) |
Adult reference range
22 - 322 µg/L (male) 10 - 291 µg/L (female) |
**If referred, site code | Turn-around time <12 hours |
Comments
CRP also measured as ferritin can be high and uninterpretable during acute phase reaction. |
| Test FGF 23 | Sample EDTA (Red) | Adult reference range 0-100 RU/ml | **If referred, site code NNUH | Turn-around time 3 weeks | Comments |
| Test Flecainide |
Sample
Serum without gel (White) |
Adult reference range Interpretation with report | **If referred, site code GEO | Turn-around time 1 weeks | Comments Collect trough sample just before next dose. |
| Test Folate |
Sample
Serum (Brown) |
Adult reference range > 5.38 µg/L | **If referred, site code | Turn-around time <8 hours* | Comments Sample ideally fasting minimum 3 hours |
| Test Free T3 |
Sample
Serum (Brown) |
Adult reference range 3.5 - 6.5 pmol/L | **If referred, site code | Turn-around time <3 working days | Comments Ranges vary in children |
| Test Free T4 | Sample Serum (Brown) | Adult reference range 10.5 - 21.0 pmol/L | **If referred, site code | Turn-around time <1 working day |
Comments
Ranges vary in children |
| Test FSH (Follicle stimulating hormone) | Sample Serum (Brown) |
Adult reference range
Female interpretation with report Male 1.0-10.1 U/L |
**If referred, site code |
Turn-around time
<8 hours acute <12 hours community |
Comments Take sample on day 1-3 of cycle. State LMP or amenorrhoea. |
| Test Fructosamine |
Sample
Serum (Brown) |
Adult reference range 200 - 285 µmol/L | **If referred, site code QEH | Turn-around time 1 week | Comments |
|
Test
Full Lipid profile (cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides and non HDL cholesterol) |
Sample
Serum (Brown) |
Adult reference range Refer to NICE CG181: Lipid Modification Guidelines | **If referred, site code | Turn-around time <8 hours* |
Comments
Not necessary to fast patient however, if trigs are > 4.5 mmol/L, the LDL cholesterol cannot be calculated |
| Test Gabapentin |
Sample
Serum without gel (White) |
Adult reference range 2 - 20 mg/L | **If referred, site code TDM | Turn-around time 2 weeks | Comments Collect trough sample just before next dose |
| Test Gastrin | Sample EDTA (red) on ICE |
Adult reference range
0 – 40 pmol/L |
**If referred, site code CHX | Turn-around time 4 weeks | Comments Also part of Gut Hormone Screen. Patient must be fasted. Sample should come immediately to Lab |
| Test Gamma GT |
Sample
Serum (Brown) |
Adult reference range
Male 0 – 72 U/L Female 0 - 37 U/L |
**If referred, site code | Turn-around time <8 hours* | Comments Ranges vary for children. |
| Test Gentamicin | Sample Serum (Brown) |
Adult reference range
For once a day dosing Pre dose <1.0mg/L (adults) |
**If referred, site code | Turn-around time <8 hours* |
Comments
Collect trough sample just before next dose Refer to local pharmacy guidelines. Note – separate test codes for post dose and endocarditis |
| Test Glucagon | Sample EDTA (red) on ICE | Adult reference range 0 - 50 pmol/L | **If referred, site code CHX | Turn-around time 4 weeks | Comments Sample must be sent immediately to laboratory. Fasting sample required |
| Test Glucose | Sample Fluoride (Yellow) |
Adult reference range
3.5 - 6.0 mmol/L (fasting only) |
**If referred, site code | Turn-around time <8 hours* | Comments Interpretation also given with report |
| Test Growth Hormone |
Sample
Serum (Brown) |
Adult reference range Interpretation with report | **If referred, site code | Turn-around time 2 weeks |
Comments
Random samples rarely helpful. Use dynamic function tests instead. |
|
Test
Gut hormone profile (gastrin, glucagon, pancreatic polypeptide, somatostatin, vasoactive intestinal peptide & chromogranin A & B) |
Sample 2 x blue EDTA transfusion tubes on ice |
Adult reference range
VASO INTESTINAL PEPTIDE Ref. Range 0-30 pmol/L PANCREATIC POLYPEPTIDE Ref. Range 0-300 pmol/L GASTRIN Ref. Range 0-40 pmol/L GLUCAGON Ref. Range 0-50 pmol/L SOMATOSTATIN Ref. Range 0-150 pmol/L CHROMOGRANIN A Ref. Range 0-60 pmol/L CHROMOGRANIN B Ref. Range 0-150 pmol/L |
**If referred, site code CHX | Turn-around time 4 weeks |
Comments
Fasting sample required. Send to lab promptly for immediate freezing of plasma |
|
Test
17-hydroxyprogesterone (17OHP) |
Sample
Serum (Brown) |
Adult reference range 0.0-5.0 mmol/L | **If referred, site code | Turn-around time 2 weeks |
Comments
Collect blood in early follicular phase for adult women. |
| Test Haptoglobin | Sample Serum (Brown) | Adult reference range 0.5 – 2.6 g/L | **If referred, site code | Turn-around time <1 working day | Comments |
| Test HbA1c (glycated Hb) |
Sample
EDTA (Red) |
Adult reference range
WHO recommend 48 mmol/mol as the diagnostic cutoff for type 2 diabetes |
**If referred, site code | Turn-around time <3 working days | Comments |
| Test HCG (Pregnancy) |
Sample
Serum (Brown) |
Adult reference range HCG in non pregnant females < 4 U/L | **If referred, site code | Turn-around time <8 hours* | Comments Do not use for tumours. |
| Test HCG (Tumour) | Sample Serum (Brown) | Adult reference range Total HCG <2 U/L in males | **If referred, site code | Turn-around time <8 hours* |
Comments
Do not use for pregnancy. Measures total HCG |
| Test HDL cholesterol |
Sample
Serum (Brown) |
Adult reference range | **If referred, site code | Turn-around time <8 hours* | Comments Only available as part of Full Lipid Profile |
| Test Immunoglobins |
Sample
Serum (Brown) |
Adult reference range
IgG 6.0-16 g/L IgA 0.8-2.8 g/L (15-45 yr) 0.8-4.0 g/L (Over 45 yr) IgM 0.5-1.9 g/L (15-45 yr) 0.5-2.0 g/L (Over 45 yr) |
**If referred, site code | Turn-around time <8 hours* | Comments Age related reference ranges |
| Test Insulin |
Sample
serum preferable, lithium heparin or EDTA plasma are acceptable |
Adult reference range 0 - 80 pmol/L (fasting) | **If referred, site code | Turn-around time 95% requests are completed within 7 days of receipt |
Comments
Send to lab promptly on ice for immediate freezing. |
| Test Insulin like growth factor (IGF-1) |
Sample
Serum (Brown) |
Adult reference range Range depends on age and gender. | **If referred, site code | Turn-around time 2 weeks | Comments |
| Test IGF-2 | Sample Serum (Brown) | Adult reference range Interpretation with report | **If referred, site code GHO | Turn-around time 1 week | Comments IGF-2/IGF-1 ratio provided |
| Test IGF-Binding Protein 3 |
Sample
Serum (Brown) |
Adult reference range Interpretation with report | **If referred, site code GHO | Turn-around time 1 week | Comments |
| Test IL-6 (Interleukin 6) |
Sample
Serum (Brown) |
Adult reference range Less than 4.4 pg/mL | **If referred, site code | Turn-around time 3days | Comments |
| Test Inhibin A and B |
Sample
Serum (Brown) |
Adult reference range Interpretation with report | **If referred, site code SHI | Turn-around time 2 weeks |
Comments
For Inhibin A as part of Downs Screening refer to“Antenatal Screening” |
| Test Iron |
Sample
Serum (Brown) |
Adult reference range
11.6 - 31.3 µmol/L (Males) 9.0 - 30.4 µmol/L (Females). |
**If referred, site code | Turn-around time <8 hours* | Comments Ferritin is better test for iron deficiency |