Newcastle Laboratories

Protein, fluid

Clinical Background:

Total protein measurement in non-standard body fluids, e.g. pleural fluid, is carried out to determine if fluid accumulation is a consequence of a transudative or exudative effusion. Common causes ...

Total protein measurement in non-standard body fluids, e.g. pleural fluid, is carried out to determine if fluid accumulation is a consequence of a transudative or exudative effusion. Common causes of transudates include congestive cardiac failure and liver cirrhosis. Common causes of exudates include malignancy, parapneumonic effusions and haemothorax.

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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:

    1 mL fluid

    1 mL fluid

  • Minimum Volume Paediatric:

    1 mL fluid

    1 mL fluid

  • Special Requirement:

    Samples that are too viscous and/or contain particulate matter after centrifugation are unsuitable for analysis.

    Samples that are too viscous and/or contain particulate matter after centrifugation are unsuitable for analysis.

  • Sample Stability:

    Sample must be analysed on the day of collection

    Sample must be analysed on the day of collection

  • Interpretation:

    Transudate
    Appearance: clear, colourless, straw-coloured
    Fluid/serum total protein ratio: <0.5
    Fluid/serum LDH ratio: <0.6
    Fluid LDH: <2/3 ULN serum LDH

    Exudate:
    Appearance: cloudy, purulent, haemorrhag...

    Transudate
    Appearance: clear, colourless, straw-coloured
    Fluid/serum total protein ratio: <0.5
    Fluid/serum LDH ratio: <0.6
    Fluid LDH: <2/3 ULN serum LDH

    Exudate:
    Appearance: cloudy, purulent, haemorrhagic
    Fluid/serum total protein ratio: >0.5
    Fluid/serum LDH ratio: >0.6
    Fluid LDH: >2/3 ULN serum LDH

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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:

Availability:

Available during full access hours
Assayed as service demands
Site of analysis: Freeman and RVI

Turn Around:

Batched assay, analysed twice per day

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