ANTICARDIOLIPIN (ANTIPHOSPHOLIPID) ANTIBODIES (IgG, IgA, IgM) PANEL

Category

SPECIAL CHEMISTRY.

Sub Category

AUTOIMMUNE

Synonyms/Aliases

CARDIOLIPIN ANTIBODIES; ANTIPHOSPHOLIPID ANTIBODIES

Abbreviations

ACA; ACL Ab; ACA IgA, IgG, IgM

Type

PROFILE/ PANEL (BUNDLED TESTS)

Results

RESULTS READY/ REPORTED IN 5WORKING DAYS

Method

IMMUNOASSAY

Temp

REFRIGERATED

Setup

BATCHED.

Components Parameters

ACA IgA, ACA IgG AND ACA IgM

PRE-ANALYTIC CONSIDERATIONS

Test Ordering Instructions

FILL OUT TEST REQUEST FORM FULLY & LEGIBLY. INDIVIDUAL ANTIBODIES (IgA, IgG OR IgM) CAN BE ORDERED. IF ANTIBODY TYPE IS NOT SPECIFIED, ALL THREE ANTIBODIES ARE SELECTED BY DEFAULT

Patient preparation

NO PREPARATION REQUIRED.

Sample type

SERUM

Container/ preservative

SERUM SEPARATOR TUBE (SST/ GEL) OR PLAIN (RED TOP) VACUTAINER.

Sample volume

AT LEAST 3ML

Rejection criteria

LABELING ISSUE (UNLABELED/ MISLABELED); MISSING REQUEST FORM; MISMATCH BETWEEN REQUEST FORM & SAMPLE DETAILS; MISSING AGE/ GENDER; WRONG SAMPLE TYPE; INSUFFICIENT SAMPLE.

Other Instructions

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

INTERPRETIVE DATA IS PROVIDED ON THE REPORT.

Clinical Utility

EVALUATION OF ANTIPHOSPHOLIPID SYNDROME (PHOSPHOLIPID ANTIBODY SYNDROME). EVALUATION OF PATIENTS WITH UNEXPLAINED THROMBOSIS, RECURRENT MISCARRIAGES ETC.

Test Limitations/ Confounders

POSITIVE RESULTS MAY OCCUR IN OTHER AUTOIMMUNE DISORDERS E.G. SLE, RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS, SJOGREN'S SYNDROME & IN THESE CONDITIONS MAY BE ASSOCIATED WITH INCREASED THROMBOTIC RISK. TRANSIENT POSITIVITY CAN OCCUR AND REPEAT TESTING IS ADVISED AFTER 12 WEEKS TO DEMONSTRATE PERSISTENCE OF ANTIBODIES.

ANTI SCL – 70 ANTIBODIES

Category

SPECIAL CHEMISTRY.

Sub Category

AUTOIMMUNE

Synonyms/Aliases

SCLERODERMA ANTIBODY; ANTI-TOPOISOMERASE ANTIBODY

Abbreviations

SCL-70; TOPO 1

Type

INDIVIDUAL TEST

Results

RESULTS READY/ REPORTED IN 7-10 WORKING DAYS

Method

NEPHELOMETRY

Temp

REFRIGERATED

Setup

BATCHED.

Components Parameters

NOT APPLICABLE

PRE-ANALYTIC CONSIDERATIONS

Test Ordering Instructions

FILL OUT TEST REQUEST FORM FULLY & LEGIBLY. MENTION ANA FINDINGS IF AVAILABLE

Patient preparation

NO PREPARATION REQUIRED

Sample type

SERUM

Container/ preservative

SERUM SEPARATOR TUBE (SST/ GEL) OR PLAIN (RED TOP) VACUTAINER.

Sample volume

AT LEAST 3ML

Rejection criteria

LABELING ISSUE (UNLABELED/ MISLABELED); MISSING REQUEST FORM; MISMATCH BETWEEN REQUEST FORM & SAMPLE DETAILS; MISSING AGE/ GENDER; WRONG SAMPLE TYPE; INSUFFICIENT SAMPLE.

Other Instructions

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

INTERPRETIVE DATA IS PROVIDED ON THE REPORT.

Clinical Utility

A FOLLOW-UP TEST TO A POSITIVE ANA WHERE THERE IS SUSPICTION FOR SCLERODERMA/ SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS. CAN BE ORDERED SINGLY OR AS PART OF OTHER PANELS E.G. EXTRACTABLE NUCLEAR ANTIGEN (ENA) PANEL.

Test Limitations/ Confounders

UP TO 40% OF PATIENTS WITH SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS CAN BE SERONEGATIVE I.E. NEGATIVE RESULTS DO NOT EXCLUDE SCLERODERMA. IF THERE IS A HIGH INDEX OF SUSPICION, CONSIDER ANTI-CENTROMERE, ANTI-RNA POLYMERASE 3 & ANTI PM-SCL

ANTI DIURETIC HORMONE

Category

SPECIAL CHEMISTRY.

Sub Category

ENDOCRINE

Synonyms/Aliases

ARGININE VASOPRESSIN

Abbreviations

ADH; AVP

Type

INDIVIDUAL TEST

Results

RESULTS READY/ REPORTED IN 7-10 WORKING DAYS

Method

NEPHELOMETRY

Temp

FROZEN

Setup

BATCHED.

Components Parameters

N/A

PRE-ANALYTIC CONSIDERATIONS

Test Ordering Instructions

FILL OUT TEST REQUEST FORM FULLY & LEGIBLY.

Patient preparation

FASTING IS REQUIRED.

Sample type

EDTA PLASMA (FASTING SAMPLE IN A PRE-CHILLED EDTA TUBE, CENTRIFUGE IMMEDIATELY & FREEZE SPECIMEN IN PLASTIC TUBE).

Container/ preservative

PURPLE TOP

Sample volume

2ML EDTA PLASMA

Rejection criteria

LABELING ISSUE (UNLABELED/ MISLABELED); MISSING REQUEST FORM; MISMATCH BETWEEN REQUEST FORM & SAMPLE DETAILS; MISSING AGE/ GENDER; WRONG SAMPLE TYPE; INSUFFICIENT SAMPLE; SAMPLES WHICH ARE NOT FROZEN.

Other Instructions

PROMPTLY SEPARATE EDTA PLASMA AND IMMEDIATELY FREEZE. LABEL OF SEPARATION VIAL MUST INCLUDE SAMPLE TYPE.

Reference intervals

AGE & GENDER APPROPRIATE VALUES ARE PROVIDED ON THE REPORT. INTERPRETATION ALSO DEPENDS ON PLASMA OSMOLALITY.

Clinical Utility

EVALUATION OF DIABETES INSIPIDUS (CENTRAL VS. NEPHROGENIC) & SYNDROME OF INAPPROPRIATE ADH (SIADH).

Test Limitations/ Confounders

RELEASED IN A PULSATILE MANNER. TEMPERATURE SENSITIVE ANALYTE. 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.

ANGIOTENSIN CONVERTING ENZYME

Category

SPECIAL CHEMISTRY.

Sub Category

MISCELLANEOUS

Synonyms/Aliases

- N/A

Abbreviations

ACE

Type

INDIVIDUAL TEST

Results

RESULTS READY/ REPORTED IN 7 WORKING DAYS

Method

NEPHELOMETRY

Temp

REFRIGERATED

Setup

BATCHED.

Components Parameters

N/A

PRE-ANALYTIC CONSIDERATIONS

Test Ordering Instructions

FILL OUT TEST REQUEST FORM FULLY & LEGIBLY.

Patient preparation

NO PREPARATION REQUIRED

Sample type

SERUM

Container/ preservative

SERUM SEPARATOR TUBE (SST/ GEL) OR PLAIN (RED TOP) VACUTAINER.

Sample volume

AT LEAST 2ML

Rejection criteria

LABELING ISSUE (UNLABELED/ MISLABELED); MISSING REQUEST FORM; MISMATCH BETWEEN REQUEST FORM & SAMPLE DETAILS; MISSING AGE/ GENDER; WRONG SAMPLE TYPE; INSUFFICIENT SAMPLE.

Other Instructions

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

INTERPRETIVE DATA IS PROVIDED ON THE REPORT.

Clinical Utility

SUSPECTED CASE OF SARCOIDOSIS

Test Limitations/ Confounders

- N/A

AMYLOID A, SERUM

Category

SPECIAL CHEMISTRY.

Sub Category

INFLAMMATION

Synonyms/Aliases

- N/A

Abbreviations

SAA

Type

INDIVIDUAL TEST

Results

RESULTS READY/ REPORTED IN 7 WORKING DAYS

Method

NEPHELOMETRY

Temp

REFRIGERATED

Setup

BATCHED.

Components Parameters

N/A

PRE-ANALYTIC CONSIDERATIONS

Test Ordering Instructions

FILL OUT TEST REQUEST FORM FULLY & LEGIBLY.

Patient preparation

NO PREPARATION REQUIRED

Sample type

SERUM

Container/ preservative

SERUM SEPARATOR TUBE (SST/ GEL) OR PLAIN (RED TOP) VACUTAINER.

Sample volume

AT LEAST 2ML

Rejection criteria

LABELING ISSUE (UNLABELED/ MISLABELED); MISSING REQUEST FORM; MISMATCH BETWEEN REQUEST FORM & SAMPLE DETAILS; MISSING AGE/ GENDER; WRONG SAMPLE TYPE; INSUFFICIENT SAMPLE.

Other Instructions

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

SERUM AMYLOID A (SAA) IS AN EARLY AND SENSITIVE BLOOD BIOMARKER FOR TISSUE INJURY AND INFLAMMATION.

Test Limitations/ Confounders

- N/A

ALPHA FETOPROTEIN

Category

SPECIAL CHEMISTRY.

Sub Category

TUMOR MARKER

Synonyms/Aliases

- N/A

Abbreviations

AFP

Type

INDIVIDUAL TEST

Results

RESULTS READY/ REPORTED IN 2-4 HOURS

Method

IMMUNOASSSAY

Temp

FROZEN (PREFERRED) OR REFRIGERATED

Setup

DAILY

Components Parameters

N/A

PRE-ANALYTIC CONSIDERATIONS

Test Ordering Instructions

FILL OUT TEST REQUEST FORM FULLY & LEGIBLY.

Patient preparation

NO PREPARATION REQUIRED

Sample type

SERUM

Container/ preservative

SERUM SEPARATOR TUBE (SST/ GEL) OR PLAIN (RED TOP) VACUTAINER.

Sample volume

AT LEAST 2ML

Rejection criteria

LABELING ISSUE (UNLABELED/ MISLABELED); MISSING REQUEST FORM; MISMATCH BETWEEN REQUEST FORM & SAMPLE DETAILS; MISSING AGE/ GENDER; WRONG SAMPLE TYPE; INSUFFICIENT SAMPLE.

Other Instructions

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 AND MONITOR THERAPY FOR CANCERS OF LIVER, TESTICLES OR OVARIES.

Test Limitations/ Confounders

- N/A

ALDOSTERONE

Category

SPECIAL CHEMISTRY.

Sub Category

ENDOCRINE

Synonyms/Aliases

- N/A

Abbreviations

- N/A

Type

INDIVIDUAL TEST

Results

RESULTS READY/ REPORTED IN 5 WORKING DAYS

Method

IMMUNOASSSAY

Temp

FROZEN (PREFERRED) OR REFRIGERATED

Setup

BATCHED.

Components Parameters

N/A

PRE-ANALYTIC CONSIDERATIONS

Test Ordering Instructions

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.

Sample volume

AT LEAST 3ML

Rejection criteria

LABELING ISSUE (UNLABELED/ MISLABELED); MISSING REQUEST FORM; MISMATCH BETWEEN REQUEST FORM & SAMPLE DETAILS; MISSING AGE/ GENDER; WRONG SAMPLE TYPE; INSUFFICIENT SAMPLE.

Other Instructions

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.

ADRENOCORTICOTROPIC HORMONE

Category

SPECIAL CHEMISTRY.

Sub Category

ENDOCRINE

Synonyms/Aliases

ADRENOCORTICOTROPIN; CORTICOTROPIN

Abbreviations

ACTH

Type

INDIVIDUAL TEST

Results

RESULTS READY/ REPORTED IN 5 WORKING DAYS

Method

IMMUNOASSSAY

Temp

FROZEN (-20C)

Setup

BATCHED.

Components Parameters

N/A

PRE-ANALYTIC CONSIDERATIONS

Test Ordering Instructions

FILL OUT TEST REQUEST FORM FULLY & LEGIBLY.

Patient preparation

MORNING SAMPLE COLLECTION (7-10A.M.) AT REST.

Sample type

EDTA PLASMA

Container/ preservative

PRIMARY SAMPLE COLLECTION IN PLASTIC EDTA (PURPLE TOP) VACUTAINER.

Sample volume

AT LEAST 2ML EDTA PLASMA

Rejection criteria

LABELING ISSUE (UNLABELED/ MISLABELED); MISSING REQUEST FORM; MISMATCH BETWEEN REQUEST FORM & SAMPLE DETAILS; MISSING AGE/ GENDER; WRONG SAMPLE TYPE; INSUFFICIENT SAMPLE; SAMPLES WHICH ARE NOT FROZEN.

Other Instructions

PROMPTLY SEPARATE EDTA PLASMA AND IMMEDIATELY FREEZE. LABEL OF SEPARATION VIAL MUST INCLUDE SAMPLE TYPE.

Reference intervals

AGE & GENDER APPROPRIATE VALUES ARE PROVIDED ON THE REPORT.

Clinical Utility

EVALUATION OF CUSHING'S SYNDROME, CUSHING'S DISEASE, ECTOPIC ACTH PRODUCTION (HYPERCORTISOLISM) AND ADDISON'S DISEASE (HYPOCORTISOLISM).

Test Limitations/ Confounders

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.

ACTH STIMULATION TEST (CORTISOL)

Category

SPECIAL CHEMISTRY.

Sub Category

ENDOCRINE

Synonyms/Aliases

COSYNTROPIN TEST; SYNACTHEN TEST

Abbreviations

- N/A

Type

PROFILE/ PANEL (BUNDLED TESTS)

Results

RESULTS READY/ REPORTED IN 7 WORKING DAYS

Method

IMMUNOASSSAY

Temp

REFRIGERATED.

Setup

BATCHED.

Components Parameters

CORTISOL TESTING ON 0 MINUTE, 30 MINUTE & 60 MINUTE SAMPLES.

PRE-ANALYTIC CONSIDERATIONS

Test Ordering Instructions

FILL OUT TEST REQUEST FORM FULLY & LEGIBLY. PATIENT SHOULD DISCONTINUE STEROIDS AT LEAST 24 HOURS PRIOR TO THE TEST.

Patient preparation

MULTI-SAMPLING WILL BE DONE I.E. BASAL CORTISOL AT 8-9A.M. (PRIOR TO DRUG ADMINISTRATION), THEN 30 MINUTES & 60 MINUTES POST COSYNTROPIN ADMINISTRATION (250 MICROGRAMS ADMINISTERED IM OR IV). CONSENT NEEDED

Sample type

THREE SERUM SAMPLES [BASAL (0 MIN), 30 MIN & 60 MIN]. SAMPLE LABEL MUST INCLUDE COLLECTION SEQUENCE I.E. 0 MIN, 30 MIN & 60 MIN

Container/ preservative

THREE SERUM SEPARATOR TUBES (SST/ GEL) OR PLAIN (RED TOP) VACUTAINERS.

Sample volume

3 ML

Rejection criteria

LABELING ISSUE (UNLABELED/ MISLABELED/ COLLECTION SEQUENCE NOT STATED); MISSING REQUEST FORM; MISMATCH BETWEEN REQUEST FORM & SAMPLE DETAILS; MISSING AGE/ GENDER; WRONG SAMPLE TYPE; INSUFFICIENT SAMPLE.

Other Instructions

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

INTERPRETIVE DATA IS PROVIDED ON THE REPORT.

Clinical Utility

THIS IS AN ENDOCRINE STIMULATION TEST USED WHEN EVALUATING FOR ADRENAL INSUFFICIENCY (ADDISON'S DISEASE). ADMINISTRATION OF SYNTHETIC ACTH (COSYNTROPIN) SHOULD RESULT IN SUFFICIENT PRODUCTION OF CORTISOL BY THE ADRENAL GLAND.

Test Limitations/ Confounders

INCORRECT LABELING OF COLLECTION SEQUENCE WILL RESULT IN INACCURATE INTERPRETATION.

ACETYLCHOLINE RECEPTOR ANTIBODY

Category

SPECIAL CHEMISTRY.

Sub Category

AUTOIMMUNE

Synonyms/Aliases

MYASTHENIA GRAVIS ANTIBODY; ACHR BINDING ANTIBODY.

Abbreviations

ACHR

Type

INDIVIDUAL TEST

Results

RESULTS READY/ REPORTED IN 5 WORKING DAYS

Method

RADIOIMMUNOASSAY (RIA)

Temp

REFRIGERATED.

Setup

BATCHED.

Components Parameters

NOT APPLICABLE.

PRE-ANALYTIC CONSIDERATIONS

Test Ordering Instructions

FILL OUT TEST REQUEST FORM FULLY & LEGIBLY. AVOID USE OF ANAESTHETIC OR MUSCLE RELAXANT 24HRS PRIOR TO SAMPLING.

Patient preparation

AVOID GENERAL ANAESTHETIC/ MUSCLE RELAXANT FOR 24HRS PRIOR TO SAMPLE COLLECTION.

Sample type

SERUM

Container/ preservative

SERUM SEPARATOR TUBE (SST/ GEL) OR PLAIN (RED TOP) VACUTAINER.

Sample volume

10ML ALIQUOT OF 24 HOUR URINE. ORIGINAL (TOTAL) VOLUME IN ML MUST BE SPECIFIED ON THE REQUEST FORM.

Rejection criteria

LABELING ISSUE (UNLABELED/ MISLABELED); MISSING REQUEST FORM; MISMATCH BETWEEN REQUEST FORM & SAMPLE DETAILS; MISSING AGE/ GENDER; WRONG SAMPLE TYPE; INSUFFICIENT SAMPLE.

Other Instructions

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

INTERPRETIVE DATA IS PROVIDED ON THE REPORT.

Clinical Utility

HIGHLY SPECIFIC FOR MYASTHENIA GRAVIS. USED TO DISTINGUISH MYASTHENIA GRAVIS FROM OTHER CONDITIONS WITH SIMILAR SYMPTOMS.

Test Limitations/ Confounders

10-15% OF PATIENTS WITH GENERALIZED MYASTHENIA GRAVIS AND 25-50% OF PATIENTS WITH OCULAR MYASTHENIA ARE SERONEGATIVE FOR ACHR.