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Laboratory Medicine

General Information / Guidance on test interpretation- Clinical Biochemistry

Please find information by clicking on the links below:

Advice Regarding Result Interpretation:

ALLERGY TESTING - How to diagnose allergy in adults in primary care *Updated march 24*

B12 - see HAEMATINICS

BIOTIN- Biotin interference in Roche-manufactured immunoassays

BNP - Use of natriuretic peptides in the management of suspected heart failure *Updated Jan 24*

CALCIUM

Guidance for assessment of hypercalcaemia in primary care

Investigation of Hypocalcaemia in Primary Care *new document Nov 23*

CALPROTECTIN

- The York faecal calprotectin care pathway for GPs 

 - Faecal calprotectin guidance for patients being managed in secondary care

CORTISOL - Investigation of Adrenal Insufficiency and Cushing’s Syndrome in Adults

CHLORIDE – Guidance for interpreting chloride results

CREATINE KINASE - Causes of Elevated CK 

CRP - See INFLAMMATORY MARKERS

CUSHINGS SYNDROME - See CORTISOL

DIABETES - see HBA1C

ESR - See INFLAMMATORY MARKERS

ESTRADIOL – See OESTRADIOL

FAECAL CALPROTECTIN - See CALPROTECTIN

FERRITIN (high) - Investigation of elevated ferritin

FERRITIN (low) See HAEMATINICS

FOLATE - See HAEMATINCS

FREE LIGHT CHAINS – Guidance for interpreting free light chain results 

FSH - Menopause investigation and laboratory testing 

HAEMATINICS - Guidance for primary care on interpretation of haematinics (B12, folate and ferritin) 

HBA1C (diagnosis of diabetes)Guidance for when HbA1c is not suitable for diagnosis of diabetes

HBA1C (monitoring of diabetes)Guidance for when HbA1c is not suitable for monitoring diabetes

HEART FAILURE - See BNP

HYPERKALAEMIA - See POTASSIUM

HYPONATRAEMIA - See SODIUM

HYPOMAGNESAEMIA - See MAGNESIUM

HYPOPHOSPHATAEMIA - See PHOSPHATE

IMMUNOGLOBULINS  - Guidance for investigation of low immunoglobulins 

INFLAMMATORY MARKERS – Guidance for which test to use and when

LIVER BLOOD TESTS / LIVER DISEASE - 

- Guidance for primary care on liver disease and liver blood tests 

- Reference Ranges for Liver Function Tests in Pregnancy 

MAGNESIUM - Guidance for assessment and management of hypomagnesaemia in primary care *Updated Feb 24*

MENOPAUSE - See FSH

METANEPHRINES (Urine) – Investigation of suspected phaeochromocytoma using 24h urine metanephrines 

MYELOMA/MGUS - See PARAPROTEINS

OSMOLALITY (Urine) - Guidance for investigation of polyuria / polydipsia

OESTRADIOLInterpreting serum oestradiol levels 

PARAPROTEINS - Management of patients with paraprotein *Updated march 24*

PHOSPHATE -

Information for Primary Care: Management of Hypophosphataemia  

Renal Tubular Reabsorption of Phosphate

POTASSIUM -

- Investigating and management of hyperkalaemia (high potassium) in primary care (adults) 

- Investigating and management of hypokalaemia (low potassium) in primary care (adults)

- Top tips for avoiding haemolysis

- Hyperkalaemia due to DELAYED CENTRIFUGATION 

- To enquire about obtaining a centrifuge for your surgery, please contact Carl Burkinshaw, Biochemistry Operational Manager (York and Scarborough): 01723 342028, carl.burkinshaw@york.nhs.uk

POLYURIA- see OSMOLALITY (Urine)

PROLACTIN - Investigation of hyperprolactinaemia 

PV - See INFLAMMATORY MARKERS

Renal Tubular Reabsorption of Phosphate - See PHOSPHATE

SODIUM - Investigation and management of hyponatraemia in primary care (adults) 

THERAPEUTIC DRUGS - Sampling requirements for commonly requested therapeutic drugs

THYROID FUNCTION TESTS - Guidance for requesting and interpreting thyroid function tests (TFTs)

TRACE ELEMENTS (ZINC, SELENIUM, COPPER) - A guide to requesting trace elements for adults in primary care 

TROPONIN - Troponin testing in primary care *Updated march 24*


Web Page 26 Last Updated: 22/03/2024

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