Nortriptyline (Blood)

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Testing Laboratory

Auckland Te Toka Tumai | Auckland Hospital

Department

Chemical Pathology

Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)

NORT

Test Code (Numeric Code)

3829

Laboratory Handling

Transport

If sending within Auckland then sample can be sent refrigerated (2-8°C) or at ambient temperature (8-24°C).
If sending from outside Auckland then send sample refrigerated (2-8°C).

Separating

Centrifuge and separate blood as soon as possible after collection

Laboratory

LabPLUS High Performance Liquid Chromatography

Sample Stability

Ambient: 1 week
Refrigerated: 4 weeks
Frozen: 4 weeks

Associated Tests

Synonyms

Nort, Nortriptyline, Tricyclic AD: Nortriptyline

Turnaround Time

1 week

TAT between 1 week and 2 weeks

Specimen Type

  • Serum

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred
  • Plain (Red Top)
Acceptable
  • Lithium Heparin - Non-gel (Green Cap)
Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

4

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred
  • Plain(Microtainer)
Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

1

Pre-testing Requirements

Specimens should be collected when the patient is in steady state with the treatment, 10-14hours from the last dose in once daily dosing regime,or just before the morning dose for divided daily dosing schedules.

A trough level must be measured to avoid the high levels found during the absorption phase of the drug.

A morning sample is recommended both on once daily and twice daily regimes. The morning dose must be withheld until after sampling.

Additional Specimen Information

Tubes containing gel (SST and PST) are NOT acceptable

Last updated: 25/08/2026