Adult patient:
Heparin gel tube
Minimum blood volume: 5 mL
Paediatric patient:
Paediatric heparin tube
Number of vials: 1
Minimum blood volume: 1.3 mL
Authorisation code required
No
24 Hr available service
Yes
(Call extension: 3353 for express result)
Method
Spectrophotometry
Reference interval
| Female: | < 45 U/L |
| Male : | < 95 U/L |
(Source: from local population study in 2008)
Clinical indication
Assessment of liver disease
Result interpretation
Increased levels are found in cholestatic liver disease and in hepatocellular disease when there is an element of cholestasis.
Levels are increased in diabetes with chronic intake of excess alcohol and with certain drugs (especially phenytoin) as a result of enzyme induction.
Pancreatitis and prostatitis may also be associated with increased levels.
Measurement of uncertainty
Frequency of measurement
Daily