Tests-Chemical Pathology

Please notify the laboratory prior to sample collection for analyzer preparation.
Collect sample using EDTA tube (purple cap) and immediately place on ice.
Urgent test must be sent in a separate container and NOT mix together with other routine test.
Send immediately to the laboratory within 15 minutes of collection. Delay may cause inaccurate test result.
For referring lab, separate plasma after centrifuge and freeze immediately at -20°C or lower. Please sent directly to Integrated Laboratory and Chemical Pathology Unit, Level 2, Twin Tower HQE.

Specimen

Blood (Plasma)

Volume

2.5 ml

Container

EDTA (in ice bath)

LTAT

1 hour

Sample Storage

Room Temp: -

2 - 8°C: 2 hours

-20°C: 3 weeks

Avoid multiple freeze/thaw cycles.

Note

Refer here for specimen collection

Amylase

Specimen

Blood (Serum)

Volume

4 ml

Container

Plain Tube

LTAT

Urgent: 1H

Routine: 3H

Outstation: 24H

Sample Storage

Room Temp: 7 days

2 - 8°C: 7 days

-20°C: 1 year

Avoid multiple freeze/thaw cycles.

Note

Amylase (Urine)

Specimen

Urine

Volume

20 ml

Container

Universal container

LTAT

1 working day

Note

Aspartate Transaminase (AST)

Specimen

Blood (Serum)

Volume

4 ml

Container

Plain Tube

LTAT

Urgent: 1H

Routine: 3H

Outstation: 24H

Sample Storage

Room Temp: 4 days

2 - 8°C: 7 days

-20°C: 12 weeks

Avoid multiple freeze/thaw cycles.

Note

Bilirubin (Total and Direct)

Specimen

Blood (Serum)

Volume

4 ml

Container

Plain Tube

LTAT

Urgent: 1H

Routine: 3H

Outstation: 24H

Sample Storage

Room Temp: 2 days (Direct Bilirubin), 8 hours for serum without separator (Total Bilirubin) and 24 hours for serum with separator (Total Bilirubin).

2 - 8°C: 7 days

-20°C: 3 months

Avoid multiple freeze/thaw cycles.

Note

Please request Direct Bilirubin if clinically indicated (i.e. in obstructive jaundice). Otherwise, Direct Bilirubin will be reflex if Total Bilirubin abnormal.

Blood Gases (Arterial/Venous)

State time of arterial or venous puncture in the request form.
Use of commercial heparinized blood gas syringe is PREFERRED.
If unavailable, use a 1 mL disposable syringe and flush it with 5000 IU/mL heparin.
Draw 1 mL of blood.
Invert the syringe upward and expel all air bubbles.
Mix well by rolling the syringe between the palms to prevent clotting.
Place the stopper. Specimen received with needle will be REJECTED.
Keep the specimen embedded in crushed ice and send immediately for analysis (within 30 minutes). Specimens received exceeding this time frame may be subjected to rejection.
Request form for Blood Gases SHALL NOT be shared with other test request (e.g. Lactate). Please sent a separate form for other test request.

Specimen

Blood

Volume

1 ml

Container

Heparinised syringe (in ice bath)

LTAT

1 hour

Note

Refer here for specimen collection

Calcium

Specimen

Blood (Serum)

Volume

4 ml

Container

Plain Tube

LTAT

Urgent: 1H

Routine: 3H

Outstation: 24H

Sample Storage

Room Temp: 7 days

2 - 8°C: 3 weeks

-20°C: 8 months

Avoid multiple freeze/thaw cycles.

Note

Calcium (Urine)

Specimen

Urine

Volume

As per collection

Container

Universal container/ 24-H urine container

LTAT

1 working day

Note

Random urine or 24-hour urine collection sample is acceptable.

Carbamazepine (TDM)

Specimen

Blood (Serum)

Volume

4 ml

Container

Plain Tube without gel

LTAT

3 Hours

Note

Use TDM form

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Biochemistry

Please notify the laboratory prior to sample collection for analyzer preparation.
Ensure specimen bottle is correctly labelled.
Send immediately to the laboratory following sample collection.
For referring lab, please sent directly to Integrated Laboratory and Chemical Pathology Unit, Level 2, Twin Tower HQE.

Specimen

CSF

Volume

2 ml

Container

Sterile Bijou Bottle

LTAT

1 hour

Note

Only Total Protein & Glucose will be analysed. Additional analyte test require clinical justification.

Refer here for specimen collection

Chloride (Blood)

Specimen

Blood (Serum)

Volume

4 ml

Container

Plain Tube

LTAT

Urgent: 1H

Routine: 3H

Outstation: 24H

Sample Storage

Room Temp: 7 days

2 - 8°C: 7 days

-20°C: 1 year

Avoid multiple freeze/thaw cycles.

Note

Chloride (Urine)

Specimen

Urine

Volume

As per collection

Container

Universal container/ 24-H urine container

LTAT

1 working day

Note

Random urine or 24-hour urine collection sample is acceptable.

Cholesterol, Total

Specimen

Blood (Serum)

Volume

4 ml

Container

Plain Tube

LTAT

Routine: 3H

Outstation: 24H

Sample Storage

Room Temp: 7 days

2 - 8°C: 7 days

-20°C: 3 months

Avoid multiple freeze/thaw cycles.

Note

Creatine Kinase

Specimen

Blood (Serum)

Volume

4 ml

Container

Plain Tube

LTAT

Urgent: 1H

Routine: 3H

Outstation: 24H

Sample Storage

Room Temp: 2 days

2 - 8°C: 7 days

-20°C: -

Note

Creatinine (Blood)

Specimen

Blood (Serum)

Volume

4 ml

Container

Plain Tube

LTAT

Urgent: 1H

Routine: 3H

Outstation: 24H

Sample Storage

Room Temp: 7 days

2 - 8°C: 7 days

-20°C: 3 months

Avoid multiple freeze/thaw cycles.

Note

Creatinine (Urine)

Specimen

Urine

Volume

As per collection

Container

Universal container/ 24-H urine container

LTAT

1 working day

Note

Random urine or 24-hour urine collection sample is acceptable.

C-Reactive Protein (CRP)

Specimen

Blood (Serum)

Volume

4 ml

Container

Plain Tube

LTAT

Urgent: 1H

Routine: 3H

Outstation: 24H

Sample Storage

Room Temp: 15 days

2 - 8°C: 2 months

-20°C: 1 year

Avoid multiple freeze/thaw cycles.

Note

Cyclosporine (TDM)

Specimen

Blood (Whole blood)

Volume

4 ml

Container

EDTA Tube

LTAT

2 working days

Note

Use TDM form

Digoxin (TDM)

Specimen

Blood (Serum)

Volume

4 ml

Container

Plain Tube without gel

LTAT

3 Hours

Note

Use TDM form

Drug of Abuse Testing Screening and Confirmation (Amphetamine Type Stimulants [Amphetamine/Methamphetamine/MDA/MDMA/Phentermine/Ephedrine], Opiate [Morphine/Codeine], Cannabis [THC], Ketamine and Norketamine.

Specimen

Random Urine

Volume

30 ml

Container

Universal container

LTAT

10 - 30 days

Note

Specimen must be accompanied by Borang UPD 1 (pindaan 2020)

Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase (GGT)

Specimen

Blood (Serum)

Volume

4 ml

Container

Plain Tube

LTAT

Routine: 3H

Outstation: 24H

Sample Storage

Room Temp: 7 days

2 - 8°C: 7 days

-20°C: 1 year

Avoid multiple freeze/thaw cycles.

Note

Gentamicin (TDM)

Specimen

Blood (Serum)

Volume

4 ml

Container

Plain Tube without gel

LTAT

3 Hours

Note

Use TDM form

Glucose (Fasting/Random Blood Sugar)

Specimen

Blood (Plasma)

Volume

2.5 ml

Container

Fluoride Oxalate Tube

LTAT

Routine: 3H

Outstation: 24H

Sample Storage

Room Temp: 2 days

2 - 8°C: 7 days

-20°C: 3 months

Avoid multiple freeze/thaw cycles.

Note

HDL Cholesterol

Specimen

Blood (Serum)

Volume

4 ml

Container

Plain Tube

LTAT

Routine: 3H

Outstation: 24H

Sample Storage

Room Temp: 2 days

2 - 8°C: 7 days

-20°C: 3 months

Avoid multiple freeze/thaw cycles.

Note

Ketone (Beta-Hydroxybutyrate)

Specimen

Blood (Whole blood)

Volume

2.5 ml

Container

EDTA Tube

LTAT

Routine: 3H

Outstation: 24H

Note

Lactate (Blood)

Please notify the laboratory prior to sample collection for analyzer preparation.
Collect sample using Fluoride Oxalate (gray cap) and immediately placed on ice.
Urgent test must be sent in a separate container and NOT mix together with other routine test.
Send immediately to the laboratory.
For referring lab, separate plasma after centrifuge and freeze immediately at -20°C or lower. Please sent directly to Integrated Laboratory and Chemical Pathology Unit, Level 2, Twin Tower HQE.

Specimen

Blood (Plasma)

Volume

2.5 ml

Container

Fluoride Oxalate Tube (in ice bath)

LTAT

90 minutes

Sample Storage

Room Temp: -

2 - 8°C: 3 days

-20°C: 3 days

Avoid multiple freeze/thaw cycles.

Note

Refer here for specimen collection.

Lactate [Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)]

Please notify the laboratory prior to sample collection for analyzer preparation.
Collect sample using sterile Bijou bottle.
Send immediately to the laboratory.

Specimen

CSF

Volume

As per collection

Container

Sterile Bijou Bottle

LTAT

60 minutes

Note

Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH)

Specimen

Blood (Serum)

Volume

4 ml

Container

Plain Tube

LTAT

Urgent: 1H

Routine: 3H

Outstation: 24H

Sample Storage

Room Temp: 3 days

2 - 8°C: 3 days

-20°C: 8 weeks

Avoid multiple freeze/thaw cycles.

Note

Lithium (TDM)

Specimen

Blood (Serum)

Volume

4 ml

Container

Plain Tube without gel

LTAT

3 Hours

Note

Use TDM form

Magnesium (Blood)

Specimen

Blood (Serum)

Volume

4 ml

Container

Plain Tube

LTAT

Urgent: 1H

Routine: 3H

Outstation: 24H

Sample Storage

Room Temp: 8 hours

2 - 8°C: 3 days

-20°C: 3 months

If testing will be delayed longer than the maximum room temperature or 2 - 8°C storage time, remove serum or plasma from clot, RBCs, or separator gel and store frozen.

Note

Magnesium (Urine)

Specimen

Urine

Volume

As per collection

Container

Universal container/ 24-H urine container

LTAT

1 working day

Note

Random urine or 24-hour urine collection sample is acceptable.

Methotrexate (TDM)

Specimen

Blood (Serum)

Volume

4 ml

Container

Plain Tube without gel

LTAT

3 Hours

Note

Use TDM form

Paracetamol @ Acetaminophen (TDM)

Specimen

Blood (Serum)

Volume

4 ml

Container

Plain Tube without gel

LTAT

90 minutes

Note

Use TDM form

Sampling should be collected at least 4 hours after ingestion

Paraquat, Urine

Specimen

Urine

Volume

20 ml

Container

Universal container

LTAT

1 hour

Note

Phenobarbitone (TDM)

Specimen

Blood (Serum)

Volume

4 ml

Container

Plain Tube without gel

LTAT

3 Hours

Note

Use TDM form

Phenytoin (TDM)

Specimen

Blood (Serum)

Volume

4 ml

Container

Plain Tube without gel

LTAT

3 Hours

Note

Use TDM form

Phosphate

Specimen

Blood (Serum)

Volume

4 ml

Container

Plain Tube

LTAT

Urgent: 1H

Routine: 3H

Outstation: 24H

Sample Storage

Room Temp: 1 day

2 - 8°C: 4 days

-20°C: 1 year

Avoid multiple freeze/thaw cycles.

Note

Phosphate (Urine)

Specimen

Urine

Volume

As per collection

Container

Universal container/ 24-H urine container

LTAT

1 working day

Note

Random urine or 24-hour urine collection sample is acceptable.

Potassium

Specimen

Blood (Serum)

Volume

4 ml

Container

Plain Tube

LTAT

Urgent: 1H

Routine: 3H

Outstation: 24H

Sample Storage

Room Temp: 1 week

2 - 8°C: 1 week

-20°C: 1 year

Avoid multiple freeze/thaw cycles.

Note

Potassium (Urine)

Specimen

Urine

Volume

As per collection

Container

Universal container/ 24-H urine container

LTAT

1 working day

Note

Random urine or 24-hour urine collection sample is acceptable.

Protein

Specimen

Blood (Serum)

Volume

4 ml

Container

Plain Tube

LTAT

Urgent: 1H

Routine: 3H

Outstation: 24H

Sample Storage

Room Temp: 1 week

2 - 8°C: 1 month

-20°C: 2 months

Avoid multiple freeze/thaw cycles.

Note

Protein (Urine)

Specimen

Urine

Volume

As per collection

Container

Universal container/ 24-H urine container

LTAT

1 working day

Sample Storage

Room Temp: 24 hours

2 - 8°C: 7 days

-20°C: 1 month

Avoid multiple freeze/thaw cycles.

Note

Random urine or 24-hour urine collection sample is acceptable.

Salicylate (TDM)

Specimen

Blood (Serum)

Volume

4 ml

Container

Plain Tube without gel

LTAT

90 minutes

Note

Use TDM form

Sodium

Specimen

Blood (Serum)

Volume

4 ml

Container

Plain Tube

LTAT

Urgent: 1H

Routine: 3H

Outstation: 24H

Sample Storage

Room Temp: 2 weeks

2 - 8°C: 2 weeks

-20°C: 1 year

Avoid multiple freeze/thaw cycles.

Note

Sodium (Urine)

Specimen

Urine

Volume

As per collection

Container

Universal container/ 24-H urine container

LTAT

1 working day

Note

Random urine or 24-hour urine collection sample is acceptable.

Sodium Valproate (TDM)

Specimen

Blood (Serum)

Volume

4 ml

Container

Plain Tube without gel

LTAT

3 Hours

Note

Use TDM form

Tacrolimus (TDM)

Specimen

Blood (Whole blood)

Volume

4 ml

Container

EDTA Tube

LTAT

2 working days

Note

Use TDM form

Theophylline (Aminophylline) (TDM)

Specimen

Blood (Serum)

Volume

4 ml

Container

Plain Tube without gel

LTAT

3 Hours

Note

Use TDM form

Triglyceride

Specimen

Blood (Serum)

Volume

4 ml

Container

Plain Tube

LTAT

Routine: 3H

Outstation: 24H

Sample Storage

Room Temp: 2 days

2 - 8°C: 7 days

-20°C: 1 year

Specimens may be stored for up to 7 days refrigerated at 2 - 8°C prior to being tested. If testing will be delayed > 7 days, store frozen (-20°C). Avoid multiple freeze/thaw cycles.

Note

Troponin I, High Sensitivity

Specimen

Blood (Serum)

Volume

4 ml

Container

Plain Tube

LTAT

90 minutes

Note

Must be sent SEPARATELY from other routine Biochemistry Tests
For referring lab, please sent directly to Integrated Laboratory and Chemical Pathology Unit, Level 2, Twin Tower HQE.

Urea

Specimen

Blood (Serum)

Volume

4 ml

Container

Plain Tube

LTAT

Urgent: 1H

Routine: 3H

Outstation: 24H

Sample Storage

Room Temp: 7 days

2 - 8°C: 7 days

-20°C: 1 year

Avoid multiple freeze/thaw cycles.

Note

Urea (Urine)

Specimen

Urine

Volume

As per collection

Container

Universal container/ 24-H urine container

LTAT

1 working day

Note

Random urine or 24-hour urine collection sample is acceptable.

Uric Acid

Specimen

Blood (Serum)

Volume

4 ml

Container

Plain Tube

LTAT

Urgent: 1H

Routine: 3H

Outstation: 24H

Sample Storage

Room Temp: 3 days

2 - 8°C: 7 days

-20°C: 6 months

Avoid multiple freeze/thaw cycles.

Note

Uric Acid (Urine)

Specimen

Urine

Volume

As per collection

Container

Universal container/ 24-H urine container

LTAT

1 working day

Note

Random urine or 24-hour urine collection sample is acceptable.

Urine Fluid Examination and Microscopic Examination (UFEME)

Specimen

Urine

Volume

20 ml

Container

Universal container

LTAT

Routine: 3H

Note

Urine Pregnancy Test (UPT)

Specimen

Urine

Volume

20 ml

Container

Universal container

LTAT

1 hour

Note

Vancomycin (TDM)

Specimen

Blood (Serum)

Volume

4 ml

Container

Plain Tube without gel

LTAT

3 Hours

Note

Use TDM form

Specialised tests

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)

Specimen

Blood (Serum)

Volume

4 ml

Container

Plain Tube

LTAT

5 working days

Sample Storage (Instruction for Referring Lab)

Room Temp: 3 days

2 - 8°C: 7 days

-20°C: Unspecified

If testing will be delayed > 7 days, remove the clot, RBCs, or separator gel and stored frozen.

Avoid > 5 freeze/thaw cycles.

Note

Specialised Biochemistry Test.

Please refer to this Quick Guide.

B 12, Vitamin

Specimen

Blood (Serum)

Volume

4 ml

Container

Plain Tube

LTAT

5 working days

Sample Storage (Instruction for Referring Lab)

Room Temp: 3 days

2 - 8°C: 7 days

-20°C: Unspecified

Specimens may be stored on or off the clot, RBCs, or separator gel. If frozen, remove from clot, RBCs, or separator gel.

Avoid > 3 freeze/thaw cycles.

Note

Specialised Biochemistry Test

Beta-Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin (B-hCG), Total

Specimen

Blood (Serum)

Volume

4 ml

Container

Plain Tube

LTAT

3 working days

Sample Storage (Instruction for Referring Lab)

Room Temp: -

2 - 8°C: 7 days

-20°C: 12 months

If testing will be delayed > 24 hours, remove clots, RBCs, or separator gel. If testing will be delayed > 7 days, specimens should be frozen at -10°C/colder.

Avoid multiple freeze/thaw cycles.

Note

Specialised Biochemistry Test.

Please refer to this Quick Guide.

Cancer Antigen 125 (CA 125)

Specimen

Blood (Serum)

Volume

4 ml

Container

Plain Tube

LTAT

5 working days

Sample Storage (Instruction for Referring Lab)

Room Temp: -

2 - 8°C: 7 days

-20°C: -

If testing will be delayed > 24 hours, remove clots, RBCs, or separator gel. Specimens may be stored for up to 7 days at 2 - 8°C prior to being testing. If testing will be delayed > 7 days, specimens should be frozen at -10°C/colder.

Avoid multiple freeze/thaw cycles.

Note

Specialised Biochemistry Test.

Please refer to this Quick Guide.

Cancer Antigen 15-3 (CA 15-3)

Specimen

Blood (Serum)

Volume

4 ml

Container

Plain Tube

LTAT

5 working days

Sample Storage (Instruction for Referring Lab)

Room Temp: -

2 - 8°C: 7 days

-20°C: Unspecified

Avoid multiple freeze/thaw cycles.

Note

Specialised Biochemistry Test. It is mainly used as a marker in monitoring treatment response in patient with established breast malignancy.

Cancer Antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9)

Specimen

Blood (Serum)

Volume

4 ml

Container

Plain Tube

LTAT

5 working days

Sample Storage (Instruction for Referring Lab)

Room Temp: -

2 - 8°C: 7 days

-20°C: Unspecified

Avoid multiple freeze/thaw cycles.

Note

Specialised Biochemistry Test.

Please refer to this Quick Guide.

Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA)

Specimen

Blood (Serum)

Volume

4 ml

Container

Plain Tube

LTAT

5 working days

Sample Storage (Instruction for Referring Lab)

Room Temp: -

2 - 8°C: 7 days

-20°C: Unspecified

Avoid multiple freeze/thaw cycles.

Note

Specialised Biochemistry Test.

Please refer to this Quick Guide.

Complement 3 (C3)

Specimen

Blood (Serum)

Volume

4 ml

Container

Plain Tube

LTAT

5 working days

Sample Storage (Instruction for Referring Lab)

Room Temp: -

2 - 8°C: 3 days

-20°C: Unspecified

Avoid multiple freeze/thaw cycles.

Note

Specialised Biochemistry Test

Complement 4 (C4)

Specimen

Blood (Serum)

Volume

4 ml

Container

Plain Tube

LTAT

5 working days

Sample Storage (Instruction for Referring Lab)

Room Temp: -

2 - 8°C: 2 days

-20°C: Unspecified

Avoid multiple freeze/thaw cycles.

Note

Specialised Biochemistry Test

Cortisol

Specimen

Blood (Serum)

Volume

4 ml

Container

Plain Tube

LTAT

3 working days

Sample Storage (Instruction for Referring Lab)

Room Temp: -

2 - 8°C: ≤ 14 days

-20°C: ≤ 30 days

If testing will be delayed > 8 hours, remove clots, RBCs, or separator gel. Specimens removed from separator gel, cells or clot may be stored up to 14 days at 2 - 8°C.

Avoid multiple freeze/thaw cycles.

Note

Specialised Biochemistry Test.

Please write SAMPLING TIME.

Specimen

Urine

Volume

As per collection

Container

24-H Urine container

LTAT

3 working days

Note

Specialised Biochemistry Test.

Creatinine Clearance

Collect a 24-hour urine specimen (as above).
Take 2 mLs of blood in plain tube (red/gold cap) for serum creatinine on the same day during the 24-hour urine collection duration.
Send both urine and blood specimens to the laboratory for analysis.

Specimen

Blood (Serum) and 24-H urine collection

Volume

4 ml blood and urine as per collection

Container

Plain Tube & 24-urine container

LTAT

1 working day

Note

Refer here for specimen collection

Dexamethasone Suppression Test (DST)

- Take 1 mg Dexamethasone tablet with water at 11pm.
- Draw cortisol sample at 8am the next morning.

Specimen

Blood (Serum)

Volume

4 ml

Container

Plain Tube

LTAT

3 working days

Note

Specialised Biochemistry Test.

Please write SAMPLING TIME.

Estradiol

Specimen

Blood (Serum)

Volume

4 ml

Container

Plain Tube

LTAT

5 working days

Sample Storage (Instruction for Referring Lab)

Room Temp: -

2 - 8°C: 7 days

-20°C: Unspecified

If testing will be delayed > 24 hours, remove clots, RBCs, or separator gel and stored 2 - 8°C. If testing will be delayed > 7 days, specimens should be frozen at -20°C/colder.

Avoid multiple freeze/thaw cycles.

Note

Specialised Biochemistry Test

Ferritin

Specimen

Blood (Serum)

Volume

4 ml

Container

Plain Tube

LTAT

5 working days

Sample Storage (Instruction for Referring Lab)

Room Temp: -

2 - 8°C: 7 days

-20°C: 12 months

If testing will be delayed > 24 hours, remove clots, RBCs, or separator gel. If testing will be delayed > 7 days, specimens should be frozen at -10°C/colder.

Avoid multiple freeze/thaw cycles.

Note

Specialised Biochemistry Test

Folate

Specimen

Blood (Serum)

Volume

4 ml

Container

Plain Tube

LTAT

5 working days

Sample Storage (Instruction for Referring Lab)

Room Temp: -

2 - 8°C: 7 days

-20°C: 30 days

Remove clot, RBCs, or separator gel as soon as possible.

Avoid >3 freeze/thaw cycles.

Note

Specialised Biochemistry Test

Follicular Stimulating Hormone (FSH)

Specimen

Blood (Serum)

Volume

4 ml

Container

Plain Tube

LTAT

5 working days

Sample Storage (Instruction for Referring Lab)

Room Temp: -

2 - 8°C: 7 days

-20°C: 12 months

If testing will be delayed > 24 hours, remove clots, RBCs, or separator gel and stored 2 - 8°C. If testing will be delayed > 7 days, specimens should be frozen at -10°C/colder.

Avoid multiple freeze/thaw cycles.

Note

Specialised Biochemistry Test

Iron

Specimen

Blood (Serum)

Volume

4 ml

Container

Plain Tube

LTAT

5 working days

Note

Specialised Biochemistry Test

Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)

Specimen

Blood (Whole blood)

Volume

2.5 ml

Container

EDTA Tube

LTAT

5 working days

Note

Specialised Biochemistry Test

Immunoglobulin A (IgA)

Specimen

Blood (Serum)

Volume

4 ml

Container

Plain Tube

LTAT

5 working days

Sample Storage (Instruction for Referring Lab)

Room Temp: 7 days

2 - 8°C: 7 days

-20°C: 6 months

Avoid multiple freeze/thaw cycles.

Note

Specialised Biochemistry Test

Immunoglobulin G (IgG)

Specimen

Blood (Serum)

Volume

4 ml

Container

Plain Tube

LTAT

5 working days

Sample Storage (Instruction for Referring Lab)

Room Temp: 7 days

2 - 8°C: 7 days

-20°C: 6 months

Avoid multiple freeze/thaw cycles.

Note

Specialised Biochemistry Test

Immunoglobulin M (IgM)

Specimen

Blood (Serum)

Volume

4 ml

Container

Plain Tube

LTAT

5 working days

Sample Storage (Instruction for Referring Lab)

Room Temp: 2 months

2 - 8°C: 4 months

-20°C: 6 months

Avoid multiple freeze/thaw cycles.

Note

Specialised Biochemistry Test

Luteinizing Hormone (LH)

Specimen

Blood (Serum)

Volume

4 ml

Container

Plain Tube

LTAT

5 working days

Sample Storage (Instruction for Referring Lab)

Room Temp: -

2 - 8°C: 7 days

-20°C: Unspecified

If testing will be delayed > 7 days, specimens should be frozen at -10°C/colder.

Avoid multiple freeze/thaw cycles.

Note

Specialised Biochemistry Test

Osmolality, Serum

Specimen

Blood (Serum)

Volume

4 ml

Container

Plain Tube

LTAT

1 working day

Note

Specialised Biochemistry Test

Osmolality, Urine

Specimen

Urine

Volume

20 ml

Container

Universal container

LTAT

1 working day

Note

Specialised Biochemistry Test

Parathyroid Hormone, intact (iPTH)

Specimen

Blood (Plasma)

Volume

2.5 ml

Container

EDTA Tube

LTAT

5 working day

Sample Storage (Instruction for Referring Lab)

Room Temp: -

2 - 8°C: 2 days

-20°C: 6 months

If testing will be delayed > 2 days, remove plasma from the clot, RBCs, or separator gel and stored frozen.

Avoid > 5 freeze/thaw cycles.

Note

Specialised Biochemistry Test.

Procalcitonin (PCT)

Specimen

Blood (Plasma)

Volume

2.5 ml

Container

EDTA Tube

LTAT

24H

Sample Storage (Instruction for Referring Lab)

Room Temp: 8 hours if on the clot, RBCs, or separator gel. 24 hours if remove from clot, RBCs, or separator gel.

2 - 8°C: 48 hours

-20°C: 15 days

If store beyond 8 hours, remove plasma from the clot, RBCs, or separator gel and store at 2 - 8°C or -10°C/colder.

Avoid > 3 freeze/thaw cycles.

Note

Specialised Biochemistry Test

Specialist counter-signed is COMPULSORY.
This test is ONLY offered to ICU, HDW and Covid patients. Requests from other wards and hospital MUST consult with Integrated Laboratory Pathologist/Medical Officer during office hours OR oncall Pathologist/Medical Officer after office hours.

Prolactin

Specimen

Blood (Serum)

Volume

4 ml

Container

Plain Tube

LTAT

5 working days

Sample Storage (Instruction for Referring Lab)

Room Temp: -

2 - 8°C: 7 days

-20°C: 12 months

If testing will be delayed > 24 hours, remove clot, RBCs, or separator gel and store at 2 - 8°C. If testing will be delayed > 7 days. specimens should be frozen at -10°C/colder.

Avoid multiple freeze/thaw cycles.

Note

Specialised Biochemistry Test

Progesterone

Specimen

Blood (Serum)

Volume

4 ml

Container

Plain Tube

LTAT

5 working days

Sample Storage (Instruction for Referring Lab)

Room Temp: -

2 - 8°C: 7 days

-20°C: 12 months

If testing will be delayed > 24 hours, remove clot, RBCs, or separator gel and store at 2 - 8°C. If testing will be delayed > 7 days. specimens should be frozen at -10°C/colder.

Avoid multiple freeze/thaw cycles.

Note

Specialised Biochemistry Test

Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA), Total

Specimen

Blood (Serum)

Volume

4 ml

Container

Plain Tube

LTAT

5 working days

Sample Storage (Instruction for Referring Lab)

Room Temp: -

2 - 8°C: 24 hours

-20°C: Unspecified

If testing will be delayed > 24 hours, remove clot, RBCs, or separator gel and stored frozen.

Avoid multiple freeze/thaw cycles.

Note

Specialised Biochemistry Test.

Please refer to this Quick Guide.

Protein Electrophoresis, Serum and Urine

Request for test can only be done by SPECIALIST.
Request form (PER-PAT 301 form) must be filled with adequate clinical information (CRAB).
If test required within the retesting interval of 3 months, consult Chemical Pathologist.
Request will be REJECTED if serum sample hemolyzed, plasma sample, inadequate clinical history in the request form and no counter-signed by specialist.

Specimen

Blood (Serum)

Urine

Volume

4 ml

As per collection

Container

Plain Tube

Universal container or 24-H urine container

LTAT

15 working days

Sample Storage (Instruction for Referring Lab)

Room Temp: -

2 - 8°C: 7 days

-20°C: 1 month

IMPORTANT: Avoid boric acid as preservative for urine sample.

Note

Specialised Biochemistry Test.

Refer here for clinical indication for urine electrophoresis.

Refer here for specimen collection.

Specialist counter-signed is compulsory.

ACTH (Synacthen) Stimulation Test

Withhold steroid treatment for 24 hours prior to the test (Patients treated with dexamethasone require at least 48 hours of steroid withdrawal) if appropriate.
Draw baseline sample of cortisol at 0 minute.
Give IM or IV 250ug ACTH.
Draw cortisol samples at 30 and 60 minutes.
Label specimens (including sample timing) accordingly and send to the lab immediately.

Specimen

Blood (Serum)

Volume

4 ml

Container

Plain Tube

LTAT

3 working days

Note

Specialised Biochemistry Test

Refer here for specimen collection

Testosterone

Specimen

Blood (Serum)

Volume

4 ml

Container

Plain Tube

LTAT

5 working days

Sample Storage (Instruction for Referring Lab)

Room Temp: 8 hours

2 - 8°C: 7 days

-20°C: Unspecified

If testing will not be performed within 8 hours of draw, specimens may be stored either at 2 - 8°C for up to 7 days or frozen, prior to being tested.

Avoid > 1 freeze/thaw cycles.

Note

Specialised Biochemistry Test

Thyroxine Stimulating Hormone (TSH)

Specimen

Blood (Serum)

Volume

4 ml

Container

Plain Tube

LTAT

3 working days

Sample Storage (Instruction for Referring Lab)

Room Temp: -

2 - 8°C: 7 days

-20°C: 6 months

If testing will be delayed > 24 hours, remove clot, RBCs, or separator gel and stored frozen.

Avoid multiple freeze/thaw cycles.

Note

Specialised Biochemistry Test

Thyroxine, free (fT4)

Specimen

Blood (Serum)

Volume

4 ml

Container

Plain Tube

LTAT

3 working days

Sample Storage (Instruction for Referring Lab)

Room Temp: -

2 - 8°C: ≤ 6 days

-20°C: Unspecified

If testing will be delayed > 24 hours, remove clot, RBCs, or separator gel. If testing will be delayed > 6 days, specimens should be frozen at -10°C/colder.

Avoid multiple freeze/thaw cycles.

Note

Specialised Biochemistry Test

Triiodothyronine, free (fT3)

Specimen

Blood (Serum)

Volume

4 ml

Container

Plain Tube

LTAT

3 working days

Sample Storage (Instruction for Referring Lab)

Room Temp: -

2 - 8°C: 6 days

-20°C: Unspecified

If testing will be delayed > 24 hours, remove clot, RBCs, or separator gel. If testing will be delayed > 6 days, specimens should be frozen at -10°C/colder.

Avoid multiple freeze/thaw cycles.

Note

Specialised Biochemistry Test

Rheumatoid Factor

Specimen

Blood (Serum)

Volume

4 ml

Container

Plain Tube

LTAT

5 working days

Sample Storage (Instruction for Referring Lab)

Room Temp: -

2 - 8°C: 2 days

-20°C: Unspecified

For longer periods, samples should be frozen. Homogenize the specimens before analysis.

Avoid multiple freeze/thaw cycles.

Note

Specialised Biochemistry Test

Urine Albumin: Creatinine Ratio (UACR)

Specimen

Urine

Volume

20 ml

Container

Universal container

LTAT

1 working day

Note

Specialised Biochemistry Test

Urine Calcium: Creatinine Ratio (UCCR)

Specimen

Urine

Volume

20 ml

Container

Universal container

LTAT

1 working day

Note

Specialised Biochemistry Test

Urine Protein: Creatinine Ratio (UPCR)

Specimen

Urine

Volume

20 ml

Container

Universal container

LTAT

1 working day

Note

Specialised Biochemistry Test

Fluid For Biochemistry (Albumin, Protein & LDH)

Specimen

Body Fluid (pleural, peritoneal, pericardial)

Volume

5 ml

Container

Universal container

LTAT

1 working day

Note

Specialised Biochemistry Test.
Only Albumin, Protein & LDH will be analysed.
Additional analyte test require clinical justification.

Panel tests

Lipid Profile

Specimen

Blood (Serum)

Volume

4 ml

Container

Plain Tube

LTAT

Routine: 3H

Outstation: 24H

Analyte

Total Cholesterol
Triglycerides
HDL
LDL (calculated)
Non - HDL (calculated)

Note

Fasting sample is required for Triglycerides measurement

Iron Studies

Specimen

Blood (Serum)

Volume

4 ml

Container

Plain Tube

LTAT

5 working days

Analyte

Ferritin (first line test)
Iron
UIBC
TIBC (calculated)
Transferrin saturation (calculated)

Note

Reflex full panel if Ferritin

>30 ng/mL for 16 years old and above
>20 ng/mL for below 16 years old.

Exception: Chronic Kidney Disease (full profile will be done) and Transfusion-dependent Thalassemia (only ferritin will be done)

Liver Function Test (LFT)

Specimen

Blood (Serum)

Volume

4 ml

Container

Plain Tube

LTAT

Routine: 3H

Outstation: 24H

Analyte

Albumin, ALT, ALP (first line test)
Total Protein
A/G Ratio (calculated)
Total Bilirubin
AST

Note

Reflex full panel if any of the first line test result is abnormal.
Retesting interval: every 3 days.
Refer here.

Renal Profile (RP)

Specimen

Blood (Serum)

Volume

4 ml

Container

Plain Tube

LTAT

Routine: 3H

Outstation: 24H

Analyte

Sodium
Potassium
Chloride
Urea
Creatinine

Note

Retesting interval for creatinine: once daily.
Refer here.

Thyroid Function Test (TFT)

Specimen

Blood (Serum)

Volume

4 ml

Container

Plain Tube

LTAT

3 working days

Analyte

TSH (first line test)
Free T4
Free T3

Note

Reflex free T4 if TSH result is abnormal.
Free T3 only indicated in newly diagnosed subclinical hyperthyroidism and known case of fT3 thyrotoxicosis.

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