Testing Laboratory
Auckland Te Toka Tumai | Auckland HospitalDepartment
Chemical Pathology
Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)
HOMO
Test Code (Numeric Code)
3215
Laboratory Handling
Phlebotomy
Specimen should be placed on ice immediately post collection. SST is the preferred sample for community samples.
Separating
Serum or plasma must be removed from the clot, RBC or separator gel within 6 hours. Place aliquots in Automation box in freezer 37. If CMV requested send to Virology first.
Laboratory
Due to ongoing release of homocysteine from erythrocytes, plasma homocysteine increases by approximately 1 umol/L/h in unseparated samples at room temperature.
Sample Stability
4 days at 15-25°C, 4 weeks at 2-8°C, 10 months at -20°C
Synonyms
Plasma/Serum Homocysteine, Homocystine, Homocystinuria
Turnaround Time
2 weeks
This test may be vetted by the laboratory. Please include relevant clinical information on the request form to ensure appropriate tests are approved. See the 'Clinical Information' section below for more information on the indications for testing.
Specimen Type
- Plasma
- Serum
Specimen Requirements
Tube/Container Type:
Preferred
- Lithium Heparin PST- Gel (Light Green Cap)
Acceptable
- EDTA (Lavender Cap)
- Lithium Heparin - Non-gel (Green Cap)
- Plain (Red Top)
- SST II (Gold Cap)
Preferred Sample Volume (ml)
5
Minimum Sample Volume (ml)
3.5
No of Samples Required
1
Paediatric Specimen Requirements
Tube/Container Type:
Preferred
- Plain (Red Top)
Acceptable
- Lithium Heparin - Non-gel (Green Cap)
Preferred Sample Volume (ml)
0.5
Minimum Sample Volume (ml)
0.5
Additional Specimen Information
0.5 mL Paediatric Microtainer Plain Blood
0.5 mL Paediatric Microtainer Heparin Blood
Last updated: 12/08/2026