Test Details

• Discipline:

  Biochemistry

  Biochemistry

• Specimen Container Adult:

  Serum (SST or plain tube)

  Serum (SST or plain tube)

• Specimen Container Paediatric:

  serum (SST or plain tube)

  serum (SST or plain tube)

• Minimum Volume Adult:

  2 mL blood

  2 mL blood

• Minimum Volume Paediatric:

  1 mL blood

  1 mL blood

• Special Requirement:

  Send the sample to the lab immediately after collection.

  Send the sample to the lab immediately after collection.

• Sample Stability:

  30 minutes from collection

  30 minutes from collection

• Reference Ranges:

  >1 year: 1.15 - 1.27 mmol/L

  >1 year: 1.15 - 1.27 mmol/L

• Factors Affecting Result:

  EDTA, oxalate and citrated samples are unsuitable
  The distribution of calcium between being protein‐bound or in free solution is dependent on H+ concentration (pH). Because this can change in vitro...

  EDTA, oxalate and citrated samples are unsuitable
  The distribution of calcium between being protein‐bound or in free solution is dependent on H+ concentration (pH). Because this can change in vitro,
  measurements of free calcium should be made rapidly after the blood has been drawn and ideally be peformed within 30 minutes, longer if the sample is kept at 4ºC.

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• Other Info:

  lithium heparin plasma sample also acceptable

  lithium heparin plasma sample also acceptable

• Routine Contact Name:

  Duty Biochemist

• Routine Telephone:

  Freeman: 0191 244 8889
  RVI: 0191 282 9719

  Freeman: 0191 244 8889
  RVI: 0191 282 9719

• Routine Email:

  nuth.dutybiochemist@nhs.net