Pathology tests database

Sample and container requirements

Serum Lithium Heparin Plasma (paediatrics only)

Minimum volume required

1 mL blood

Special requirements

None

Patient preparation

Samples from patients receiving high biotin doses (i.e. >5 mg/day) should be taken at least 8 hours post-dose. Please inform the laboratory if the patient has been treated with monoclonal mouse antibodies or may have received them for diagnostic purposes. Iron2+ and Iron3+ at therapeutic concentrations do not interfere.

Sample viability

Turnaround time

This assay is run throughout the day and night. The in-lab turnaround time is normally less than 24 hours.

Reference range

Females: 20 – 235 µg/L Males: 22 – 501 µg/L (Source: locally derived)

Clinical guidance

Measurement of serum ferritin concentration is the best non-invasive test for iron deficiency. Ferritin is an acute phase protein, and as such iron deficiency cannot be confidently excluded in patients with inflammatory conditions unless the Ferritin is >100 µg/L. Please refer to LabTestsOnlineUK to learn more about ferritin. https://labtestsonline.org.uk/tests/ferritin-test

Notes