Testing Laboratory
Auckland Te Toka Tumai | Auckland HospitalDepartment
Chemical Pathology
Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)
B12
Test Code (Numeric Code)
1421
Laboratory Handling
Sample Stability
2 hours at 15-25°C, 48 hours at 2-8°C, 56 days at -20°C
Synonyms
B12, Cobalamin
Turnaround Time
1 day
Specimen Type
- Plasma
- Serum
Specimen Requirements
Tube/Container Type:
Preferred
- Lithium Heparin PST- Gel (Light Green Cap)
Acceptable
- Heparin (Microtainer)
- Lithium Heparin - Non-gel (Green Cap)
- Plain (Red Top)
- SST II (Gold Cap)
Preferred Sample Volume (ml)
4.5
Paediatric Specimen Requirements
Tube/Container Type:
Preferred
- Heparin (Microtainer)
Acceptable
- Lithium Heparin - Non-gel (Green Cap)
- Lithium Heparin PST- Gel (Light Green Cap)
- Plain (Red Top)
- SST II (Gold Cap)
Minimum Sample Volume (ml)
0.5
Additional Specimen Information
4.5 mL PST Blood (Preferred)
Heparin 5 mL Heparin Blood
Plain 4 mL Plain Blood
SST3.5 mL SST Blood
Microsample 0.5 mL Paediatric Microsample Serum
Micro-SST 0.5 mL Paediatric Micro-SST Blood
Last updated: 12/03/2026