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.
Indicative turnround times are given for non-urgent situations. It may be possible to expedite results by discussing the clinical situation with the laboratory consultant staff.
If a required test is not listed here, please discuss with the laboratory consultant staff.
*for full referral address refer to Appendix 1
| Test | Sample |
Adult Reference range |
Referral site code* |
Turn around Time |
Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test 5 hydroxy indole acetic acid (5HIAA) | Sample 24h urine (Acetic Acid Bottle) |
Adult Reference range 0 - 50 µmol/24hr |
Referral site code* |
Turn around Time 2-3 weeks |
Comments |
| Test Adrenaline | Sample No longer available – refer to urine metanephrines |
Adult Reference range |
Referral site code* |
Turn around Time |
Comments |
| Test Albumin Creatinine Ratio (microalbumin) | Sample 20 mL white top universal |
Adult Reference range 0 - 3.5 mg/mmol (female) 0 - 2.5 mg/mmol (male) |
Referral site code* |
Turn around Time <3 working days |
Comments |
| Test Calcium | Sample 24h urine (HCl Bottle) |
Adult Reference range 2.5 - 7.5 mmol/24hrs |
Referral site code* |
Turn around Time <3 working days |
Comments |
| Test Catecholamines | Sample No longer available – refer to urine metanephrines |
Adult Reference range |
Referral site code* |
Turn around Time |
Comments |
| Test Chloride | Sample 24hr urine (Plain Bottle) |
Adult Reference range |
Referral site code* |
Turn around Time <3 working days |
Comments |
| Test Citrate | Sample 24h urine (HCl Bottle) |
Adult Reference range Male 0.6 - 4.8mmol/24hr Female 1.3 - 6.0mmol/24hr |
Referral site code* UCLH |
Turn around Time 1 week |
Comments Ranges vary in children |
| Test Copper | Sample 24h urine (acid washed bottle) |
Adult Reference range less than 0.7 µmol/24 hr |
Referral site code* GUI |
Turn around Time 2 weeks |
Comments |
| Test Cortisol (urine free Cortisol, UFC) | Sample 24 hr urine (Plain bottle) |
Adult Reference range 0-146 nmol/24hr |
Referral site code* |
Turn around Time 1 week |
Comments |
| Test Cotinine | Sample 20 mL white top universal |
Adult Reference range Interpretation with report |
Referral site code* WTS |
Turn around Time 2 weeks |
Comments |
| Test Creatinine | Sample 24 hr urine (Plain bottle) |
Adult Reference range |
Referral site code* |
Turn around Time <3 working days |
Comments Not normally requested alone – part of other profiles |
| Test Creatinine Clearance | Sample |
Adult Reference range 90-120 ml/min |
Referral site code* |
Turn around Time <3 working days |
Comments Please send paired serum sample for creatinine |
| Test C-Peptide (random urine) | Sample 20mL red top universal (5ml minimum volume required) |
Adult Reference range Interpretation with report |
Referral site code* NOT |
Turn around Time 2 weeks |
Comments |
| Test Deoxypyrodinoline | Sample 20 mL white top universal – note protect from light |
Adult Reference range Interpretation with report |
Referral site code* NNUH |
Turn around Time 6 weeks |
Comments By prior arrangement with Duty Biochemist only |
| Test Diuretic Screen | Sample Random urine |
Adult Reference range Interpretation with report |
Referral site code* BCH |
Turn around Time 3 weeks |
Comments |
| Test Dopamine | Sample Not available |
Adult Reference range |
Referral site code* |
Turn around Time |
Comments |
|
Test
Drugs of abuse screen. This screen detects amphentamine, cocaine, marijuana, benzodiazepines, tricyclic antidepressants, barbiturates, metamphetamines, morphine, methadone and methylemedioxymethamphetamine |
Sample 20 mL white top universal |
Adult Reference range Reported as Detected or Not detected |
Referral site code* |
Turn around Time <8 hours* for point of care screen |
Comments
Qualitative test available via point of care on site. For a quantitative test contact Duty Biochemist |
| Test Glycollate | Sample 24h urine (HCl Bottle) |
Adult Reference range 140 - 620 µmol/L |
Referral site code* UCLH |
Turn around Time 3 weeks |
Comments |
| Test Homovanillate (HVA) |
Sample
Plain random urine (send to the laboratory for acidification within 12 hours of collection) |
Adult Reference range < 2 years: 0.0-20.3 umol/mmol creat 2-7 years: 0.0-12.3 umol/mmol creat 8-15 years: 0.0-5.3 umol/mmol creat 16+ years: 0.0-4.4 umol/mmol creat |
Referral site code* |
Turn around Time 4 working days |
Comments Available for paediatric patients only |
| Test Laxatives | Sample 20 mL white top universal |
Adult Reference range Interpretation with report |
Referral site code* BCH |
Turn around Time 3 weeks |
Comments Discuss case with Duty Biochemist |
| Test Mercury | Sample 20 mL white top universal |
Adult Reference range 0-5.0 nmol/mmol Creat |
Referral site code* CAR |
Turn around Time 2 weeks |
Comments
Use for exposure to mercury vapour or inorganic mercury. Use blood for organic mercury |
| Test Metanephrine [part of urine metanephrines] | Sample 24h urine (HCl Bottle) |
Adult Reference range <2000 nmol/24hr |
Referral site code* |
Turn around Time 2 weeks |
Comments |
| Test Magnesium | Sample 24h urine (HCl Bottle) |
Adult Reference range 2.4 - 6.5mmol/24hr |
Referral site code* |
Turn around Time <3 working days |
Comments |
| Test Normetanephrine [part of urine metanephrines] | Sample 24hr urine (HCl Bottle) |
Adult Reference range <4900 nmol/24hr |
Referral site code* |
Turn around Time 2 weeks |
Comments |
|
Test
N-Telopeptide Crosslinks NTX |
Sample 20 mL white top universal |
Adult Reference range 20-80 yr 15-40 BCE/mmol Creatinine |
Referral site code* NNUH |
Turn around Time 3 weeks |
Comments |
| Test Osmolality | Sample 20 mL white top universal |
Adult Reference range |
Referral site code* |
Turn around Time <6 hours |
Comments
Water deprivation and DDAVP tests consult Duty Biochemist prior to commencement |
| Test Oxalate | Sample 24 urine (HCl Bottle) |
Adult Reference range Upto 460 µmol/24hr |
Referral site code* UCLH |
Turn around Time 1 week |
Comments |
| Test Paraquat | Sample 20 mL white top universal |
Adult Reference range Interpretation with report |
Referral site code* SHE |
Turn around Time 1 week (routine) |
Comments By prior arrangement with Duty Biochemist only |
| Test pH |
Sample
For urine: 20 mL White Top Universal completely filled For fluid: blood gas syrine completely filled |
Adult Reference range |
Referral site code* |
Turn around Time <8 hours* |
Comments Arrange with Duty Biochemist and rush to laboratory. |
| Test Phosphate | Sample 24h urine (HCl Bottle) |
Adult Reference range 15 - 50 mmol/24hr |
Referral site code* |
Turn around Time <3 working days |
Comments |
| Test Reducing substances |
Sample
No longer available – speak to Duty Biochemist if you wish to discuss |
Adult Reference range |
Referral site code* |
Turn around Time |
Comments |
| Test Steroid profile | Sample Random urine sample |
Adult Reference range Interpretation with report |
Referral site code* KCH |
Turn around Time 3 weeks |
Comments |
| Test Potassium | Sample 24 h urine (plain bottle) |
Adult Reference range 2 5- 125 mmol/24hrs |
Referral site code* |
Turn around Time <3 working days |
Comments |
| Test Protein | Sample 24 h urine (plain bottle) |
Adult Reference range 0-0.1g/24hrs |
Referral site code* |
Turn around Time <3 working days |
Comments |
| Test Sodium | Sample 24 h urine (plain bottle) |
Adult Reference range 40 - 220 mmol/24hrs |
Referral site code* |
Turn around Time <3 working days |
Comments |
| Test Urate | Sample 24 h urine (plain bottle) |
Adult Reference range 1.5 - 4.5 mmol/24hrs |
Referral site code* |
Turn around Time <3 working days |
Comments |
| Test Urea | Sample 24 h urine (plain bottle) |
Adult Reference range 430-710 mmol/24hrs |
Referral site code* |
Turn around Time <3 working days |
Comments |
| Test Vanillylmandelate (VMA) |
Sample
Plain random urine (send to the laboratory for acidification within 12 hours of collection) |
Adult Reference range < 2 years: 0.0-11.8 umol/mmol creat 2-7 years: 0.0-8.6 umol/mmol creat 8+ years: 0.0-3.6 umol/mmol creat |
Referral site code* |
Turn around Time 4 working days |
Comments Available for paediatric patients only |