FILL OUT TEST REQUEST FORM FULLY & LEGIBLY. RESULTS ARE POSTURE DEPENDANT. SPECIFY WHETHER COLLECTION WAS DONE IN SUPINE OR UPRIGHT POSITION. IF POSSIBLE, ANTIHYPERTENSIVES AND DIURETICS SHOULD BE STOPPED 1-2WEEKS PRIOR TO SAMPLE COLLECTION.
Patient preparation
SHOULD BE AMBULATORY OR UPRIGHT 2 HOURS PRIOR TO SAMPLE COLLECTION. SHOULD REST FOR 15 MINUTES BEFORE SAMPLE COLLECTION.
Sample type
SERUM
Container/ preservative
SERUM SEPARATOR TUBE (SST/ GEL) OR PLAIN (RED TOP) VACUTAINER.
CENTRIFUGE SST (SERUM GEL TUBES) WITHIN 1-2 HOURS OF COLLECTION. CENTRIFUGE RED TOP VACUTAINERS AND ALIQUOT SERUM WITHIN 1-2 HOURS OF COLLECTION. THE SEPARATION VIAL MUST BE LABELED WITH AT LEAST 2 PATIENT IDENTIFIERS AND THE SAMPLE TYPE.
Reference intervals
AGE & GENDER APPROPRIATE VALUES ARE PROVIDED ON THE REPORT.
Clinical Utility
DIAGNOSE ADRENAL INSUFFICIENCY, PRIMARY OR SECONDARY HYPERALDOSTERONISM.
Test Limitations/ Confounders
RESULTS ARE INFLUENCED BY POSTURE & SOME DRUGS E.G. DIURETICS, ACE INHIBITORS ETC. IMMUNOASSAY INTERFERENCE CAN GIVE RISE TO SPURIOUS RESULTS. SUCH INTERFERENCE CAN ARISE FROM PRESENCE OF HETEROPHILE ANTIBODIES, ANTI-ANIMAL ANTIBODIES, AUTOANTIBODIES, PARAPROTEINS, BIOTIN ETC. RESULTS SHOULD ALWAYS BE CORRELATED WITH CLINICAL FINDINGS.