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:
Lactic acid is an intermediary in carbohydrate metabolism predominantly produced in white skeletal muscle, brain, skin, renal medulla and erythrocytes and is the end product of anaerobic metabolism.
Lactic acidosis occurs when there is excessive lactate formation or decreased removal and occurs in two clinical settings:
Type A lactic acidosis as a consequence of hypoxia due to shock, hypovolaemia and left ventricular failure.
Type B lactic acidosis (metabolic) associated with disease (e.g. diabetes mellitus, neoplasia, liver disease), drugs/toxins (e.g., ethanol, methanol, salicylates) or inborn errors of metabolism.
Specimen container paediatric:
Fluoride oxalate plasma
Specimen container adult:
Fluoride oxalate plasma
Minimum volume paediatric:
1 mL blood
Minimum volume adult:
1 mL blood
Special requirements:
Send the sample to the laboratory as soon as possible.
Sample stability:
Unseparated sample: day of collection
Separated sample:
8 hours at 15 to 25°C,
3 days at 2 to 8°C,
>1 month at -20°C
Reference ranges:
Up to 16 years: 0.6 – 2.5mmol/L
16 years and older: 0.5 – 2.2mmol/L