Test Details

• Discipline:

  Biochemistry

  Biochemistry

• Specimen Container Adult:

  Plain universal container

  Plain universal container

• Specimen Container Paediatric:

  Plain universal container

  Plain universal container

• Minimum Volume Adult:

  5 mL urine

  5 mL urine

• Minimum Volume Paediatric:

  3 mL urine

  3 mL urine

• Special Requirement:

  In the event of a particular presenting syndrome e.g. hypoglycaemia or metabolic acidosis it is important to obtain samples as near to episodes as possible.
  Provide full drug history.
  
  

  In the event of a particular presenting syndrome e.g. hypoglycaemia or metabolic acidosis it is important to obtain samples as near to episodes as possible.
  Provide full drug history.
  
  

• Sample Stability:

  Sample should be sent frozen and stored frozen in the laboratory

  Sample should be sent frozen and stored frozen in the laboratory

• Transport Requirements:

  Ward: Ambient temperature to the laboratory

  External hospitals: Send frozen sample to the RVI

  Ward: Ambient temperature to the laboratory

  External hospitals: Send frozen sample to the RVI

• Interpretation:

  Urinary organic acid analysis is reported as an interpretive comment, and any suggested follow-up testing will be included. Any clinically urgent results will be telephoned to the requesting clinic...

  Urinary organic acid analysis is reported as an interpretive comment, and any suggested follow-up testing will be included. Any clinically urgent results will be telephoned to the requesting clinician or referral laboratory.
  Over 100 urinary organic acids are usually detected by the analysis, however only specific abnormalities detected will be commented upon. Clinical details are essential for meaningful organic acid interpretation.
  Some drug metabolites may be detected and identified (eg, Valproate, Paracetamol), however many other drugs may also interfere in the analysis therefore a full drug history is helpful to identify these compounds and avoid unnecessary additional investigation. Dietary factors can also significantly affect results so details of any specific diet (eg, medium chain triglyceride containing formula, protein restricted diet) should also be included with the request.

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• Reference Ranges:

  Reported as an interpretative comment.

  Reported as an interpretative comment.

• Factors Affecting Result:

  Clinical details are very important for the interpretation of organic acid profiles. Drugs and dietary factors may interfere in the interpretation. Please provide details of any medication or speci...

  Clinical details are very important for the interpretation of organic acid profiles. Drugs and dietary factors may interfere in the interpretation. Please provide details of any medication or specific diet. 

  If creatinine < 1 mmol/L, sample is too dilute for reliable analysis. Bacterial contamination is likely to affect reliability of results. All samples are tested for nitrate and pH to identify the presence of bacterial contamination.

  
  

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• 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

• Specialist Test:

  Yes

  Yes

• Specialist Contact Name:

  Metabolic Clinical Scientist

  Metabolic Clinical Scientist

• Specialist Telephone:

  0191 282 9685 (Consultant Clinical Scientist)

  0191 282 0334 (Metabolic Laboratory)

  0191 282 9685 (Consultant Clinical Scientist)

  0191 282 0334 (Metabolic Laboratory)

• Specialist Email:

  tnu-tr.newcastlemetaboliclab@nhs.net

  tnu-tr.newcastlemetaboliclab@nhs.net