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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

B12 - see HAEMATINICS

BIOTIN- Biotin Interference in Roche-manufactured Immunoassays

BNP - Use of Natriuretic Peptides in the Management of Suspected Chronic Heart Failure 

CALCIUM

– Guidance for assessment of hypercalcaemia in primary care

  Investigation of Hypocalcaemia in Primary Care

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 - 

- Liver disease in Primary Care - Investigation of abnormal liver blood test results (adults) 

-Reference Ranges for Liver Function Tests in Pregnancy

 MAGNESIUM - Guidance for assessment and management of hypomagnesaemia in primary care 

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 26*

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 network Manager: carl.burkinshaw1@nhs.net

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


Web Page 26 Last Updated: 20/05/2026

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We are aware of a fire within the grounds of Malton Hospital.

All patients and colleagues have been safely evacuated, and there are no reports of any injuries.

We are working closely with North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and other partner agencies to monitor the situation.

If you have an appointment at Malton Hospital today, please do not attend. Our teams are reviewing all affected appointments, and we will contact you as soon as possible to rearrange or discuss the next steps. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Fire on grounds of Malton Hospital news statement.

Malton Urgent Treatment Centre is also currently closed. Please do not attend. If you require urgent medical advice, please use NHS 111 online or call 111. In a life-threatening emergency, always call 999.

We will provide further updates as soon as more information becomes available.