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BIOCHEMISTRY, NUTRITIONAL
1. General Procedure For Submission Of Specimen
All the tests offered are performed on blood specimens; the reader is referred to the table for the amount of blood required for each test or group of tests. As many nutritional parameters are sensitive to heat, light, and action by microorganisms, specimens for investigation of diseases of nutritional origin must reach the laboratory within 24 h of collection. Every specimen must be accompanied by a duly completed request form giving full information on the patient, the specimen (in particular, the time and date of collection), and the required examination(s).
2. Specimen Collection And Preparation
Collect venous blood into the appropriate container and cap it tightly. Label the container and send it to the nutritional laboratory immediately. If delay is unavoidable, allow blood specimens that are collected in plain containers to clot. Separate the sera and store them at 4oC until despatch. Pack the sera in ice for their transport to the laboratory. Blood specimens collected in heparinised containers should be stored in a refrigerator. DO NOT FREEZE. Send to the nutritional laboratory as soon as possible.
2.1 Blood Specimens For Nutritional Biochemistry
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Test(s) |
Volume of Blood
Required |
Container |
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Ascorbic acid, serum*
Lipids, serum
a) Cholesterol:
high-density-lipoprotein (HDL)
low-density-lipoprotein (LDL)
total
b) Triglycerides, total
Proteins, serum
a) Total
Thiamine status*
a) Erytrocyte transketolase
b) Thiamine pyrophosphate effect
Vitamin A status*
a) Carotene, serum
b) Retinol, serum
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4 ml
5 ml
2 ml
2 ml
2 ml
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Plain bottle
Plain bottle
Plain bottle
Heparinised bottle/ tube
Plain bottle |
* Specimens for these tests must reach the laboratory within a few hours of collection.
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