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 Lactate | Sample Fluoride (Yellow) | Adult Reference range 0.1-1.8 mmol/L | **If referred, site code | Turn-around time <8 hours* | Comments |
| Test Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) |
Sample
Serum (Brown) |
Adult Reference range 120-246 IU/L | **If referred, site code | Turn-around time <8 hours* | Comments Ranges vary in children |
| Test Lamotrigine |
Sample
Serum without gel (White) |
Adult Reference range 3-15 mg/L | **If referred, site code TDM | Turn-around time 1 weeks |
Comments
Collect trough sample just before next dose. Measurement only recommended in pregnancy |
| Test LDL cholesterol |
Sample
Serum (Brown) |
Adult Reference range Interpretation given with report. | **If referred, site code | Turn-around time <8 hours* |
Comments
Calculated from other lipid values if triglycerides <4.5 mmol/L. Ordered as part of full lipid profile. |
| Test Lead |
Sample
EDTA (Red) |
Adult Reference range 0 - 0.5 µmol/L | **If referred, site code CAR | Turn-around time 3 weeks |
Comments
For guidance on industrial exposure contact laboratory. Test done on whole blood. |
| Test Leptin |
Sample
Serum preferred but Lithium Heparin or EDTA plasma are acceptable |
Adult Reference range Interpretation on report | **If referred, site code | Turn-around time 4 weeks | Comments Reference range varies with sex and BMI |
| Test Levetiracetam |
Sample
Serum without gel (White) |
Adult Reference range 12 - 46 mg/L | **If referred, site code TDM | Turn-around time 2 weeks | Comments Collect trough sample just before next dose. |
| Test LFT (Liver Function Test) |
Sample
Serum (Brown) |
Adult Reference range | **If referred, site code | Turn-around time <8 hours* | Comments See Bilirubin (total), ALP, ALT and albumin |
| Test LH (luteinising hormone) | Sample Serum (Brown) |
Adult Reference range
Interpretation given with report for females Males 1.5-6.3 U/L |
**If referred, site code |
Turn-around time
<8 hours acute <12 hours community |
Comments Range depends on gender and varies through menstrual cycle |
| Test Lipase |
Sample
Serum (Brown) |
Adult Reference range 6 - 51 U/L | **If referred, site code | Turn-around time <8 hours* | Comments |
| Test Lipoprotein (a) | Sample EDTA (Red) | Adult Reference range 0 - 30 mg/dL | **If referred, site code GLA | Turn-around time 1 week | Comments By prior arrangement with Duty Biochemist only |
| Test Lithium |
Sample
Serum (Brown) |
Adult Reference range 0.4 - 1.0 mmol/L | **If referred, site code | Turn-around time <8 hours* |
Comments
The reference range for Lithium relates to samples taken between 12 and 24 hours post dose only. |
| Test Macroprolactin |
Sample
Serum (Brown) |
Adult Reference range Interpretation given on report | **If referred, site code | Turn-around time 2 weeks | Comments |
| Test Magnesium |
Sample
Serum (Brown) |
Adult Reference range 0.7 - 1.0 mmol/L | **If referred, site code | Turn-around time <8 hours* | Comments |
| Test Manganese |
Sample
EDTA (Red) |
Adult Reference range
Children <1yr 120-325 nmol/L Children>1yr, Adult 73-210 nmol/L Risk of toxicity >360 nmol/L |
**If referred, site code BCH | Turn-around time 2 weeks |
Comments
Please send an empty tube with same lot number to check for contamination |
| Test Mercury | Sample EDTA (Red) | Adult Reference range 0 – 25 mmol/L | **If referred, site code CAR | Turn-around time 2 weeks |
Comments
Send whole blood for organic Hg exposure. Urine preferred for inorganic mercury |
| Test Metanephrines | Sample EDTA (Red) on ICE |
Adult Reference range
Normetanephrine Interpretation: Below 1000pmol/L - catecholamine secreting tumour unlikely Between 1000 and 2500pmol/L - equivocal. Neither rules in nor rules out diagnosis of catecholamine secreting tumour Above 2500pmol/L - high likelihood of catecholamine secreting tumour Metanephrine Interpretation: Below 600pmol/L - catecholamine secreting tumour unlikely Between 600 and 900pmol/L - equivocal. Neither rules in nor rules out diagnosis of catecholamine secreting tumour Above 900pmol/L - high likelihood of catecholamine secreting tumour |
**If referred, site code | Turn-around time 2 weeks | Comments Send to lab promptly |
| Test Methaemoglobin | Sample Heparinised syringe | Adult Reference range <1.5% | **If referred, site code | Turn-around time <8 hours* |
Comments
Seal with cap provided. Do not send via pneumatic chute. Label sample. |
| Test Methanol | Sample Lithium Heparin (Orange) | Adult Reference range | **If referred, site code BCH | Turn-around time 2 weeks | Comments If required urgently, please contact Duty Biochemist |
| Test Methotrexate | Sample Serum (Brown) | Adult Reference range < 0.1 umol/L | **If referred, site code | Turn-around time < 6 hours |
Comments
Take sample according to local protocol. Not recommended for GP patients on low dose methotrexate. |
| Test Micronutrient Profile | Sample 3 x Lithium Heparin (Orange) protected from light | Adult Reference range Interpretation with report | **If referred, site code GLA | Turn-around time 2 weeks |
Comments
Measures: selenium, copper, zinc, and vitamins A & E in plasma; and manganese, selenium and vitamins B1, B2, and B6 in blood. |
| Test Mycophenolate | Sample Serum (Brown) | Adult Reference range Interpretation with report | **If referred, site code WTS | Turn-around time 1 week | Comments Collect trough sample just before next dose. |
| Test Neurone specific enolase (NSE) |
Sample
Serum (Brown) |
Adult Reference range < 16.3 ng/mL | **If referred, site code CHX | Turn-around time 5 weeks | Comments |
| Test NT Pro BNP | Sample Serum (Brown) | Adult Reference range Interpretation given with report | **If referred, site code |
Turn-around time
<8 hours acute <12 hours community |
Comments |
| Test Oestradiol | Sample Serum (Brown) |
Adult Reference range
Interpretation given with report for females Male less than or equal to 146 pmol/L |
**If referred, site code |
Turn-around time
<8 hours acute <12 hours community |
Comments
Depends on menstrual cycle and menopausal status. Please contact Duty Biochemist for paediatric samples as a more sensitive test is required. |
| Test Osmolality | Sample Serum (Brown) | Adult Reference range 275 - 295 mOsmol/Kg | **If referred, site code | Turn-around time <6 hours | Comments |
| Test Oxalate |
Sample
EDTA (Red) on ICE |
Adult Reference range 0 - 10 umol/L | **If referred, site code UCLH | Turn-around time 3 weeks | Comments For stone screen, request urine oxalate |
| Test P1NP | Sample EDTA (Red) | Adult Reference range Interpretation given with report | **If referred, site code NNUH | Turn-around time 3 weeks | Comments |
|
Test
Pancreatic polypeptide [Part of gut hormone profile] |
Sample 2 x blue EDTA transfusion tubes on ICE | Adult Reference range Interpretation on report | **If referred, site code CHX | Turn-around time 4 weeks |
Comments
Fasting sample required. Send to lab promptly for immediate freezing of plasma |
| Test Paracetamol |
Sample
Serum (Brown) |
Adult Reference range | **If referred, site code | Turn-around time <8 hours* |
Comments
Overdose – collect at least 4 hours after overdose. See BNF for interpretation and treatment guidelines. |
| Test Parathyroid hormone (PTH) | Sample EDTA (Red) | Adult Reference range 1.48 – 7.63 pmol/L | **If referred, site code | Turn-around time <1 working day | Comments |
| Test Parathyroid hormone related peptide (PTHrp) | Sample Special tube supplied by lab | Adult Reference range Interpretation with report | **If referred, site code NNUH | Turn-around time 6 weeks | Comments Note: Special sample handling required. Please contact Duty Biochemist |
| Test Phenobarbitone |
Sample
Serum (Brown) |
Adult Reference range 10-40 mg/L | **If referred, site code | Turn-around time <8 hours* | Comments Collect trough sample just before next dose. |
| Test Phenytoin |
Sample
Serum (Brown) |
Adult Reference range 5-20 mg/L | **If referred, site code | Turn-around time <8 hours* | Comments Collect trough sample just before next dose. |
| Test Phosphate (PO4) [part of bone profile] |
Sample
Serum (Brown) |
Adult Reference range 0.8-1.5 mmol/L | **If referred, site code | Turn-around time <8 hours* | Comments Ranges vary in children |
| Test PIVKA-II | Sample Serum (Brown) protected from light | Adult Reference range 17.36 – 50.90 mAU/mL | **If referred, site code STH | Turn-around time 2 weeks | Comments Only reported with Vitamin K1. Cannot be requested separately |
| Test PlGF (Placental Growth Factor) | Sample EDTA plasma |
Adult Reference range
≥100 pg/ml - Suggestive of no placental dysfunction. Unlikely to progress to delivery within 14 days |
**If referred, site code | Turn-around time < 2 hours |
Comments
The test is used to assist in the diagnosis of preterm pre-eclampsia and as an aid in the prognosis of delivery in women presenting signs and symptoms of pre-eclampsia prior to 35 weeks of gestation |
| Test Potassium | Sample Serum (Brown) | Adult Reference range 3.5 – 5.3 mmol/L | **If referred, site code | Turn-around time <8 hours* | Comments |
| Test Prealbumin | Sample Serum (Brown) |
Adult Reference range
0.2 - 0.5 g/L (male) 0.1 - 0.4 g/L (female) |
**If referred, site code SHI | Turn-around time 1 week | Comments |
| Test Prednisolone | Sample Serum (Brown) | Adult Reference range Interpretation given with report | **If referred, site code BHH | Turn-around time 4 weeks |
Comments
For advice on when to take the sample – please contact Duty Biochemist. Also reported with cortisol, cortisone and prednisone results. |
| Test Procalcitonin | Sample Serum (Brown) | Adult Reference range Refer to local guidelines | **If referred, site code |
Turn-around time
<8 hours acute <12 hours community |
Comments |
|
Test
Procollagen III peptide (P3NP, PIII NP) |
Sample
Serum (Brown) |
Adult Reference range Interpretation given with report | **If referred, site code SOU | Turn-around time 5 weeks |
Comments
Multiple age related reference ranges |
| Test Progesterone |
Sample
Serum (Brown) |
Adult Reference range 11 - 81 nmol/L | **If referred, site code | Turn-around time <8 hours* | Comments Reference range refers to luteal phase |
| Test Proinsulin |
Sample
Lithium Heparin (Orange) on ICE |
Adult Reference range 0 - 7 pmol/L (fasting adults of normal BMI) | **If referred, site code | Turn-around time 1 week |
Comments
For investigation of insulinoma, take sample when patient hypoglycaemic. |
| Test Prolactin | Sample Serum (Brown) |
Adult Reference range
Male 45-375 IU/l Female 59-619 IU/L |
**If referred, site code |
Turn-around time
<8 hours acute <12 hours community |
Comments
If result is high – sample will be tested for macroprolactin (non active form of prolactin) |
| Test Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) |
Sample
Serum (Brown) |
Adult Reference range Age related ranges provided with report | **If referred, site code | Turn-around time <12 hours |
Comments
Complex PSA automatically reflexed when PSA is <0.1 umol/L |
|
Test
Pulmonary and activation-regulated chemokine (PARC) |
Sample
Serum preferable, Lithium Heparin plasma is acceptable |
Adult Reference range 10 - 150 ng/mL | **If referred, site code | Turn-around time 14 days |
Comments
Use in the monitoring of patients with Gaucher disease |
| Test Pyridoxal phosphate : pyridoxic acid ratio (PLP:PA ratio) | Sample EDTA (Red) protected from light |
Adult Reference range
Adult reference range PLP: 20 – 140 nmol/L PA: 9 - 60 nmol/L PLP:PA ratio: <5 |
**If referred, site code GLA | Turn-around time 3 weeks |
Comments
Indicated only in patients with low alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and features present that are consistent with hypophosphatasia, such as recurrent fractures (e.g. metatarsal/femur) or on-going joint/muscle/bone pain. |