Turnaround times
The quoted turnaround time is from sample receipt in the laboratory, to results authorisation in the Laboratory Information Management system. The times do not include transport of specimen to the laboratory or the administrative process to print and post/email reports. Service users must allow for transport and reporting time when ordering tests.
Clinical background:
Diagnosis and monitoring of hypo and hyperkalaemia
Specimen container paediatric:
Serum (SST or plain tube)
Specimen container adult:
Serum (SST or plain tube)
Minimum volume paediatric:
0.5 mL blood
Minimum volume adult:
1 mL blood
Sample stability:
Unseparated sample: day of collection
Separated sample:
at +15° to +25°C: 14 days
at +2° to +8°C: 14 days
at -20°C: 1 year
Reference ranges:
up to 4 weeks: 3.4 – 6.0 mmol/L
4w – 1y: 3.5 – 5.7 mmol/L
1y – 16y: 3.5 – 5.0 mmol/L
16y and over: 3.5 – 5.3 mmol/L
Factors affecting result:
Spurious hyperkalaemia may be caused by pre analytical factors:
Sample haemolysis, delay in sample centrifugation, sample contamination with K-EDTA or K-Oxalate. Haematological conditions such as thrombocytosis and leukocytosis may cause spurious hyperkaleamia due to potassium leakage during clotting process.
Other info:
Lithium heparin plasma sample also acceptable