Laboratory Medicine
Test Directory / Total Bile Acids
Total Bile Acids
Brown clotted serum, gel barrier or green lithium heparin
| Test | Total Bile Acids |
|---|---|
| Common Abbreviations | BA |
| Profile | NA |
| Tube type | Brown clotted serum, gel barrier or lithium heparin |
| Clinical Indication | Total bile acids are metabolized in the liver and serve as a marker of normal liver function. Levels are increased in patients with acute hepatitis, chronic hepatitis, liver sclerosis, liver cancer and in cholestasis in pregnancy |
| Specimen Type | Blood |
| Sample type | Serum or plasma |
| Minimum Volume | 0.5mL If requesting more than 10 tests please send an additional brown clotted serum sample. |
| Special Precautions | Fasting sample preferred as concentrations increase following a meal |
| Stability | 1 week at 4°C and 3 months -20°C |
| Turnaround Time | Inpatient: 24 hours Outpatient/ GP: 2 days |
| Laboratory | York and Scarborough |
| Reference Interval | <18 µmol/L |
| Limitations | Specimens from patients who are receiving ursodeoxycholic acid treatment, prescribed to relieve the symptoms of cholestasis in pregnancy, are not suitable for use with this assay. |
| Notes |
