Collect 5-FU Stabiliser Pack test kit from Specimen Reception, 3/F, Rapid Response Laboratory, Main Clinical Block, PWH (Tel. No.: 3505 2363), please refer to 'Instruction for 'Specimen Collection and Handling Procedure for plasma 5-Fluorouracil' under 'Clinical Information for Clinical Users' of ward manual for details.
EDTA Whole blood, 3 mL

1. Paediatric EDTA Whole blood, 2 mL (Number of vials: 2), on ice, send to laboratory immediately. See Remarks for details.
2. Authorisation code required. Booking with PWH Duty Biochemist at least 1 day prior to sample collection is required for special arrangement of sample transportation on the day of sample collection.
3. Provision of information of drug administration, date/time, dosage and route of last dose via GCRS is Mandatory.

Adalimumab, serum

Serum (clotted blood, no gel), 4 mL, Trough sample is recommended for therapeutic drug monitoring. (i.e. Collect blood immediately before next scheduled dose). Send to the laboratory immediately within 2 hour after blood collection.
Provision of information of drug administration, date/time, dosage and route of last dose is Mandatory.

HKCH
(Chemical Pathology Laboratory)

Reflex testing for anti-adalimumab antibody will be performed when Adalimumab result is < 7.5 ug/mL.

Adenosine Deaminase (ADA), fluid

1. Fluid (pericardial  / peritoneal / pleural fluid, brown-cap plain bottle): 2 mL
2. CSF: 0.5 mL

NLTH
(Chemical Pathology Laboratory)

-

Alpha subunit, serum

Clotted blood tube, 4 mL

QMH
(Chemical Pathology Laboratory)

QMH lab will send the specimen to Chan and Hou Laboratories every week. Chan & Hou lab will then send the specimen to Mayo Clinic for analysis.

Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH), serum

Serum (clotted blood, no gel), 4 mL

UCH
(Chemical Pathology Laboratory)

1. AMH is useful in the investigation of disorders of sex development, in particular, when persistent Müllerian duct syndrome is suspected.
2. In female, AMH can be used for the evaluation of ovarian reserve and potential fertility in women, assists in the diagnosis of polycystic ovarian syndrome and as a tumour marker for monitoring ovarian granulosa cell tumour.

Beta C-terminal Cross-linking Telopeptide of Type 1 Collagen (Beta CTX), serum

Serum (clotted blood, no gel), 4 mL for adult patients; 2 x 2 mL clotted blood for paed patients, Morning fasting blood sample.
Samples should be collected at baseline, 3 to 6 months after initiation of treatment.
Samples for monitoring should be sent at least one month apart.
Authorisation code required.

QEH
(Chemical Pathology Laboratory)

Prior booking with PWH Duty Biochemist is required.
Beta CTX is a bone resorption marker indicated for monitoring anti-resorptive therapies (e.g. bisphosphonates and hormone replacement therapy) in patients treated for osteoporosis and individuals diagnosed with osteopenia.

Bile Acids, Total, serum

Non-gel clotted blood tube, 4 mL
fasting sample required

QMH
(Chemical Pathology Laboratory)

-

Biotinidase Activity,
dried blood spot

'Blood Collection Card', please refer to 'Instruction for Collection of Dried Blood Spots' at section 'Procedures for Sending-Out Specimens' under 'Clinical Information for Clinical Users' of ward manual for details.

HKCH
(Chemical Pathology Laboratory)

The dried blood spot card should be placed horizontally and allowed air-dried for at least
3 hours before putting it into plastic bag. Avoid stacking, touching other surfaces, direct sunlight or direct heating during air-dry.

CAH profile, serum

Serum (clotted blood, no gel), 5mL.
See Remarks for details.

QEH
(Chemical Pathology Laboratory)

1. Request by NTEC Endocrinologists only. Prior booking with Duty Biochemist is required. Authorisation code required.
2. The CAH profile test includes analysis of 11-deoxycortisol, 21-deoxycortisol, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, cortisol, and androstenedione.
3. If only 17 OH-progesterone, androstenedione, and testosterone by LC-MS analysis are required, please request "Androgen profile, serum" instead.

1. Special faecal calprotectin sampling bottle
2. Refer to the “Sampling Procedure for Faecal Calprotectin Test and Sample Requirement for Faecal Calprotectin Test” for details.
3. Please ensure that the specimen collection device is stored at 2-8 oC before use

Calprotectin, faecal (Paediatric)

1. Special faecal calprotectin sampling bottle.
2. Refer to the 'Patient Instructions for Faecal Calprotectin (FCAL) Test' for details.
3. Provision of information of type of IBD and clinical indication is Mandatory.

HKCH
(Chemical Pathology Laboratory)

Request by PWH
Paediatric GI team only

Chitotriosidase

Serum (clotted blood, no gel), 4 mL
Fasting sample required

QMH
(Chemical Pathology Laboratory)

-

Serum (clotted blood, no gel), 4 mL

Trough sample is recommended for therapeutic drug monitoring.
(i.e. Collect blood immediately before next scheduled dose).

Send the specimen to laboratory
within 1 hour after blood collection.

Plasma (Non-gel heparinised blood), 4 mL

Appropriate collection time:
(a) 5 half-lives on an unchanged dose regimen. Half-life: 18-50 hr.
(b) Trough (prior to next dose) specimen.
(c) Peak: 1-3 hr post dose.
Provision of information of clinical indication, date/time, dosage/frequency and route of last dose is Mandatory.

GCRS

Cortisol, saliva

Saliva collection tube,
Collect saliva collection tube from PWH Chemical Pathology Laboratory
Keep in 2 - 8 °C (Patient should return the specimen to PWH within 24 Hr after specimen collection.)
Refer to 'Guideline for the Collection of Saliva Specimen'.

QEH
(Chemical Pathology Laboratory)

Request by NTEC Endocrinologists only.
Specimen will be rejected if specimen arrival to laboratory is > 7 days from specimen collection.

1. Plasma (Paediatric heparin tube, minimum blood volume: 1.3 mL)
2. Number of vials required: 1

Serum (clotted blood, no gel), 4 mL

Trough sample is recommended for therapeutic drug monitoring.
(i.e. Collect blood immediately before next scheduled dose).

Send the specimen to laboratory within 1 hour after blood collection.

Pembrolizumab / Keytruda must be discontinued at least 4 weeks prior to testing for eculizumab quantitation.

Plasma (Non-gel heparinised blood), 4 mL

Serum (clotted blood, no gel), 4 mL

Trough sample is recommended for therapeutic drug monitoring.
(i.e. Collect blood immediately before next scheduled dose).

Fractional excretion of carnitine

1. Non-gel paediatric heparinised blood tube, 1 mL
and
2. Spot urine (plain bottle), 1 mL

Handwritten form

QMH
(Chemical Pathology Laboratory)

Free Fatty Acids (FFA), plasma

Plasma (EDTA blood), 3 mL

GCRS

QMH
(Chemical Pathology Laboratory)

Free Light Chain, serum

Serum (clotted blood, no gel), 5 mL

GCRS

QEH
(Chemical Pathology Laboratory)

Fructosamine, serum

Serum (clotted blood, no gel), 4 mL

GCRS

QEH
(Chemical Pathology Laboratory)

GAA Activity,
dried blood spot (Pompe)

1. Blood samples should be collected preferably before meal or at least 2 hours after meal.
2. 'Blood Collection Card', please refer to 'Instruction for Collection of Dried Blood Spots' at section 'Procedures for Sending-Out Specimens' under 'Clinical Information for Clinical Users' of ward manual for details.

GCRS

HKCH
(Chemical Pathology Laboratory)

Plasma (Non-gel heparinised blood), 4 mL

GCRS

QMH
(Chemical Pathology Laboratory)

GALT Activity,
dried blood spot

'Blood Collection Card', please refer to 'Instruction for Collection of Dried Blood Spots' at section 'Procedures for Sending-Out Specimens' under 'Clinical Information for Clinical Users' of ward manual for details.

GCRS

HKCH
(Chemical Pathology Laboratory)

Gastrin, serum

Serum (clotted blood, no gel), 4 mL, on ice.
Fasting sample is required (H2-blockers should be stopped for 72 Hr and proton pump inhibitors for 2 weeks prior to blood taking).

GCRS

QEH
(Chemical Pathology Laboratory)

GLA Activity,
dried blood spot (Fabry)

1. Blood samples should be collected preferably before meal or at least 2 hours after meal.
2. 'Blood Collection Card', please refer to 'Instruction for Collection of Dried Blood Spots' at section 'Procedures for Sending-Out Specimens' under 'Clinical Information for Clinical Users' of ward manual for details.

GCRS

HKCH
(Chemical Pathology Laboratory)

Globotriaosylsphingosine (Lyso-GB3), plasma

Plasma (Heparin NO gel tube), 4 mL

GCRS

HKCH
(Chemical Pathology Laboratory)

Glycosaminoglycan Fractionation, urine
(synonym: Mucopolysaccharides, urine)

Spot urine (plain bottle), 10 mL
Send the fresh urine specimen to the laboratory immediately after collection during office hours.

Handwritten form

PMH
(Chemical Pathology Laboratory)

This is a add-on send-out test to PMH when the screening test for mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) is positive, i.e. elevated urine total glycosaminoglycan (GAG). Please request "Mucopolysaccharides, spot urine" via GCRS for the MPS screening test.

Homocysteine, total, plasma

EDTA blood tube, 4 mL on ice

GCRS

QMH
(Chemical Pathology Laboratory)

QMH
(Chemical Pathology Laboratory)

Immunoglobulin heavy
and light chain pair (HLC) pair, serum

Serum (clotted blood, no gel), 4 mL

Handwritten form
(Booking with Duty Biochemist is required)

QEH
(Chemical Pathology Laboratory)

Infliximab, serum

Serum (clotted blood, no gel), 4 mL,
Trough sample is recommended for therapeutic drug monitoring. (i.e. Collect blood immediately before next scheduled dose).
Send to the laboratory immediately within 2 hour after blood collection.
Provision of information of drug administration, date/time, dosage and route of last dose on Handwritten form is Mandatory.

GCRS

HKCH
(Chemical Pathology Laboratory)

Lamotrigine (LTG), plasma

Plasma (Non-gel heparinised blood), 4mL

GCRS

QMH
(Chemical Pathology Laboratory)

Lipase, plasma

Plasma (Heparinised gel tube), 5 mL

GCRS

QMH
(Chemical Pathology Laboratory)

Lipoprotein Pattern [including Apolipoprotein B & A1, Lipoprotein (a)], plasma

Plasma (EDTA blood), 4 mL
Fasting sample is required.
Please also check concurrent "Lipid profile (Fasting), plasma"

GCRS

QMH
(Chemical Pathology Laboratory)

Metabolic Screening,
dried blood spot

Blood Collection Card, please refer to 'Instruction for Collection of Dried Blood Spots' at 'Clinical Information for  Clinical Users' under ward manual for details.

GCRS

HKCH
(Chemical Pathology Laboratory)

Metanephrines, free, plasma

Plasma (EDTA blood):
2 x 2 mL for adult patients;
2 x 1 mL for paediatric patients.
(Collect pre-chilled EDTA tubes in thermoflask from PWH Chemical Pathology Laboratory.
Send the specimens to the laboratory on ice immediately after blood taking.)

Patient preparations:
i) Patient should avoid paracetamol (for 5 days), alcohol, coffee, tea, tobacco and strenuous exercise before blood collection.
ii) Patient should be relaxed in supine position for at least 20 minutes before blood collection.
iii) Overnight fasting sample is preferred.

GCRS

QEH
(Chemical Pathology Laboratory)

Request by NTEC Endocrinologists only. Prior booking with Duty Biochemist is required. Authorisation code required.

Mexiletine, serum

Serum (clotted blood, no gel), 4 mL,
Specimens should only be collected after patient has been receiving mexiletine for at least 3 days
Trough sample is recommended for therapeutic drug monitoring.(i.e. Collect blood immediately before next scheduled dose).
Send to the laboratory immediately within 2 hour after blood collection.
Provision of information of drug administration, date/time, dosage and route of last dose is Mandatory.

GCRS

HKCH
(Chemical Pathology Laboratory)

Neurotransmitter, CSF

CSF (plain bottle),
on 4 °C ice blocks in thermo-flask.
CSF volume from 0.5 - 1 mL.
Refer to 'Specimen Collection and Transport Procedure for CSF Neurotransmitters' in details.

Handwritten form

QMH
(Chemical Pathology Laboratory)

Prior booking with Duty Biochemist is required.
Prior to arrangement with QMH Duty Biochemist / Pathologist (Tel. No.: 2255 3174) is needed.

Oligosaccharides, urine

Spot urine (plain bottle), 10 mL
Send the fresh urine specimen to the laboratory immediately after collection during office hours.

Handwritten form

PMH
(Chemical Pathology Laboratory)

Phytosterol profile, plasma (Synonyms: Plant Steroid, Sitosterol)

Plasma (EDTA blood), 3 mL
Fasting sample required (If overnight fast is not feasible, please send pre-meal sample.)

GCRS

QMH
(Chemical Pathology Laboratory)

GCRS

QMH
(Chemical Pathology Laboratory)

Posaconazole, serum

Serum (clotted blood, no gel), 4 mL

Trough sample is recommended for therapeutic drug monitoring.
(i.e. Collect blood immediately before next scheduled dose).

GCRS

HKCH
(Chemical Pathology Laboratory)

Prealbumin (PAB), serum

Serum (clotted blood, no gel), 4 mL
Provision of information of clinical information and Indication for investigation is Mandatory.

GCRS

QMH
(Chemical Pathology Laboratory)

Propafenone, serum

Serum (clotted blood, no gel), 4 mL

Trough sample is recommended for therapeutic drug monitoring.

(i.e. Collect blood immediately before next scheduled dose).

Specimens should only be collected after patient has been receiving propafenone
for at least 3 days.

GCRS

HKCH
(Chemical Pathology Laboratory)

Prostate Health Index (PHI), serum

Non-gel clotted blood tube, 4 mL
Send immediately to laboratory within
1 Hr

GCRS only requested
by urologist

PYNEH
(Chemical Pathology Laboratory)

Pterins (Neurotransmitters), urine

Spot urine (plain bottle),
20 mL,
on ice,
shielded from light

Handwritten form

PMH
(Chemical Pathology Laboratory)

Purine / Pyrimidine Metabolic Screen, urine

Spot urine (plain bottle),
10 mL

Handwritten form

PMH
(Chemical Pathology Laboratory)

Pyruvate, blood

1 mL whole blood with perchloric acid
See Remarks for detail.
As pyruvate is very unstable in blood, follow the instruction sheet for sample collection and complete the steps quickly. Send the labelled special tube in ice to laboratory without delay.

GCRS

PMH
(Chemical Pathology Laboratory)

Steroid Profile, urine

24 Hr urine (new plain bottle) or
spot urine (plain bottle) for age < 3 months.
Collect Special 24 Hr urine bottle from PWH Chemical Pathology Laboratory
Stop hydrocortisone replacement for at least 3 days; stop prednisolone, dexamethasone or other steroid replacement therapy for at least 1 week before sample collection.)
(Collect sample before any steroid-related suppression/stimulation tests, except 3-day dexamethasone suppression test (0.5 mg Q6H) at baseline and day 3 samples)

GCRS

QEH
(Chemical Pathology Laboratory)

S-sulfocysteine, plasma

1. Paediatric heparin tube, 2 mL, on ice, send to laboratory immediately.
2. Sample collected during symptomatic period is the most informative. Otherwise, morning pre-meal or fasting sample is preferable.
3. Authorisation code required. Booking with PWH Duty Biochemist at least 1 day prior to sample collection is required for special arrangement of sample transportation on the day of sample collection.
See Remarks for detail.

GCRS

HKCH
(Chemical Pathology Laboratory)

1. PWH Duty Biochemist will contact HKCH at 3513 3033 / 3513 3045 for prior arrangement of the test because immediate deproteinisation of the sample in the laboratory is required.
2. Sample must arrive the Rapid Response Laboratory (3/F, Main Block) between 09:00 and 14:30 on working Monday to Friday to ensure specimen transportation to HKCH for special handling during normal working hours.
(Sample should arrive at HKCH within 4 hours after blood collection before 16:00.)

S-sulfocysteine
Metabolic Screen, urine

Spot urine (plain bottle),
10 mL

Handwritten form

PMH
(Chemical Pathology Laboratory)

-

Total procollagen type 1
N-Propeptide (P1NP), serum

Serum (clotted blood, no gel),
4 mL clotted blood for adult patients;
2 x 2 mL clotted blood for paediatric patients.
Morning fasting blood sample, avoid hemolysis

Samples should be collected at baseline, 3 to 6 months after initiation of treatment.
Samples for monitoring should be sent at least one month apart.
Authorization code required.

GCRS

QEH
(Chemical Pathology Laboratory)

Prior booking with PWH Duty Biochemist is required.
Total Procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide (P1NP) is a bone formation marker indicated for monitoring therapies in patients with osteoporosis. It may also be used an adjunct in the assessment of conditions associated with increased bone turnover, such as Paget's disease of the bone.

Uracil, plasma
(DPD Phenotyping)

Vigabatrin (VGB), plasma

Plasma (Non-gel heparinised blood), 4 mL

Appropriate collection time:
(a) 5 half-lives on an unchanged dose regimen. Half-life: 5-8 hr.
(b) Trough (prior to next dose) specimen.

Provision of information of clinical indication, date/time, dosage/frequency and route of last dose is Mandatory.

Voriconazole (VOR), plasma

Plasma (Non-gel heparinised blood), 4 mL
Trough (Pre-dose) sample.

Provision of information of drug administration including date and time, dosage and route of last dose is mandatory.

Xanthochromia, CSF

1. CSF: 1 mL (Collected in sterile plain tube, shielded from light, send immediately to the laboratory. See Remarks for detail.)
2. Blood: 4 mL (Collected in heparin gel tube and paired blood sample for LFT to be requested via GCRS.)

Handwritten form
(Booking with Duty Biochemist is required.)

QEH
(Chemical Pathology Laboratory)

1. Lumbar puncture (LP) should be performed at least 12 hours after suspected bleed.
2. CSF specimen may be required for various investigations such as microbiological examination, protein and glucose estimation.
- The first specimen should be placed in a fluoride tube for glucose, followed by microbiology investigation (sterile container).
- To avoid contamination from red cells as a result of traumatic lumbar puncture, reserve at least the 3rd and ideally the last LP sample for CSF xanthochromia.
3. Specimen should be protected from light immediately after collection to avoid degradation of bilirubin.
4. Specimen should be delivered to the laboratory as soon as possible. Do NOT transport the specimen with the pneumatic tube transport system.