Clinical
Indications |
|
· Possible homocystinuria
· Premature cardiovascular disease
· Thrombotic tendency
· Possible B12/folate deficiency
|
Request Form |
|
Combined Pathology Blood form
(Yellow/Black)
|
Availability |
|
Analysed by
referral
laboratory if specific criteria met.
|
Specific
Criteria |
|
Agreed with Consultant
Biochemist.
|
Patient
Preparation |
|
Patient should be fasting as
homocysteine levels may increase after food.
|
Turnaround
Time |
|
3 weeks
|
Specimen |
|
EDTA Plasma
|
Volume |
|
2 ml
|
Container |
|
Pink top
(EDTA) tube
|
Collection |
|
Sample must be transported to
laboratory and separated within 30 minutes of collection.
Patients must be bled at Basildon Hospital.
|
Lab. Handling |
|
Aliquot and store at 4C. Samples
should be posted as soon as possible. If delay, freeze samples until posting.
|
Causes for
Rejection |
|
Unlabelled sample. Delay in
transit to laboratory.
|
Reference
Range |
|
Approximately less than 16 mmol/l
Raised levels may indicate a genetic disorder
or sulphur amino acid metabolism and/or B12/folate deficiency.
Raised levels
are reported to be a risk factor for premature cardiovascular disease and/or clotting
tendency. |