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:

  1 mL

  1 mL

• Minimum Volume Paediatric:

  0.5 mL

  0.5 mL

• Special Requirement:

  Trough sample required

  Trough sample required

• Sample Stability:

  Unseparated sample: 2 days
  Separated sample: 2 days at 15-25°C, 2 days at 2-4°C, 3 months at -20°C

   

  Unseparated sample: 2 days
  Separated sample: 2 days at 15-25°C, 2 days at 2-4°C, 3 months at -20°C

   

• Interpretation:

  Monitoring therapy
  Pharmacokinetic studies indicate a poor relationship with pharmacodynamics.
  Most authorities agree routine monitoring is not necessary
  Monitoring is found useful when compliance ...

  Monitoring therapy
  Pharmacokinetic studies indicate a poor relationship with pharmacodynamics.
  Most authorities agree routine monitoring is not necessary
  Monitoring is found useful when compliance is an issue
  Little hard evidence for a therapeutic valproate range though 50 – 100mg/L is often quoted. It is clear that some patients are well controlled with concentrations well below 50mg/L and others may require well in excess of 100mg/L.
  Toxicity
  Important side effects include weight gain, paediatric hepatotoxicity and hyperammonaemia. There is also a possible teratogenic effect.

  Read More

• Reference Ranges:

  Therapeutic Range 50 - 100 mg/L

  Therapeutic Range 50 - 100 mg/L

• Other Info:

  Lithium heparin plasma samples also acceptable

  Lithium heparin plasma samples 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