Clinical Biochemistry
Blood SciencesOur biochemistry team performs a comprehensive range of routine chemistry investigations, including renal and liver function tests, electrolyte panels, glucose and lipid profiles. These tests support clinicians across primary care, hospital wards, emergency departments and specialist services.
Advice on the appropriate investigation and the interpretation of results is available from Pathology Clinical staff at any time. Please use the hospital switchboard to contact us if not available through our secretaries or designated extension numbers.
Normal working hours for Clinical staff are 8.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday. Calls should be restricted to urgent matters only outside of these hours and initial queries should be made to the duty BMS on call for the relevant discipline. If they cannot assist they will recommend the Consultant is contacted. Switchboard has a list of telephone numbers of consultants on duty.
Adult Protocols
Aldosterone Renin Studies (Screening protocol)
Glucagon Stimulation Test – (Adult protocol)
Glucose Tolerance Test (Protocol for Obstetric patients)
Growth Hormone Suppression Test (GTT with growth hormone)
Instructions for saliva collection for late night cortisol
Overnight Dexamethasone Suppression Test – (Low dose (1mg) overnight protocol)
Penacillamine Challenge Test (Wilson’s disease)
Pituitary Function Test (IST, TRH, Gn-RH)
Synacthen Test (Short protocol)
Water Deprivation Test (8 hour)
Adult Proformas
Aldosterone/Renin Request Proforma
Pituitary Function Test – SAMPLING PROFORMA (to be sent with samples)
Paediatric Protocol
Blood Samples
Most routine Clinical Biochemistry blood tests can be undertaken on 6 ml. sample collected into a Vacutainer SST tube (yellow top).
Alcohol Samples
Requests for alcohol are not routinely available without prior discussion with the laboratory. A 2ml samples in a fluoride oxalate tube (grey top) is required.
Paediatric Samples
Paediatric samples for most Clinical Biochemistry tests may be collected into a 2 ml heparinised micro tube (orange cap).
Blood Gases
All blood gas samples are analysed ‘Point of Care’ and require an arterial sample taken into an heparinised syringe.
Urine Samples
Plain 25ml containers (white top) are available from supplies distribution for random, MSU and EMU samples. 24 hour urine containers with any necessary preservative, are available from Pathology reception.
Patient Information Sheets
- Single 24 hour urine collection
- Two consecutive 24 hour urine (acid and plain) collections
- Spot (Random) urine collection
Faecal Samples
Plain 25ml faecal containers (blue top) are available from supplies distribution.
Special Collection Conditions Required
Some tests require special collection or handling prior to analysis e.g. immediate processing, protected from light, timed collection. Please refer to individual test page in the test directory.