The vitamin D equipment is now fixed and operational. We have now started working through our backlog. We estimate that our backlog is approx 28 days. If you require any further infomation, please contact the laboratory.

New guidelines on the interpretation of troponin are in use from today. These guidelines take into account gender specific differences in troponin measurements to increase the diagnostic accuracy. For further guidance see: https://heftpathology.site/item/troponin-i-2.html

As of 27th May 2014 TSH only will be the frontline test for investigating Thyroid function. If the TSH is <0.35 mU/L or >4.9 mU/L a fT4 will be automatically added on to the request. If the TSH is <0.1 mU/L fT3 will also be added. The reason for this is to encourage more appropriate use of the thyroid tests. If you have any queries or concerns please contact the duty biochemist (bleep 2506).

From 27^th February 2014 we will be resuming a PTH service from Heartlands using the Roche intact PTH assay (iPTH).  It is difficult to directly compare results determined from the previous Abbott assay to the Roche assay as the Abbott method had a significant positive bias with respect to Roche, therefore you should expect slightly lower results now.  The reference range for iPTH on the Roche assay is 1.6-6.9 pmol/L. 

Analysis will be batched daily, Monday-Friday.  As previously plasma from EDTA samples is the preferred sample type.  If there is a need for an urgent PTH the current process of contacting the duty biochemist/duty consultant will continue and the urgent pathway implemented. If there are any queries clinicians should contact the duty biochemist/duty consultant.