Lipoprotein (a)

Testing Laboratory

Department

Chemical Pathology

Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)

LPLA

Test Code (Numeric Code)

3246

Laboratory Handling

Phlebotomy

Lp(a) tests may be vetted by a pathologist Criteria for approval of Lp(a) tests Requests from cardiologists, endocrinologists or lipid/metabolic clinics do not require approval Other requests will require pathologist approval Repeated measurements of Lp(a) are not warranted and generally will not be approved www.bpac.org.nz ) Issue 33, p 10-21

Separating

Refrigerate @ 2-8 degree within 8 hours of collection. 48 hours post collect freeze at -20 degree.

Sample Stability

-

Synonyms

Lp(a)

Turnaround Time

1 week

Performed Weekly. Following pathologist approval.

Specimen Type

• Plasma
• Serum

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• Lithium Heparin PST- Gel (Light Green Cap)

Acceptable

• Lithium Heparin - Non-gel (Green Cap)
• SST II (Gold Cap)

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• Lithium Heparin PST- Gel (Light Green Cap)

Acceptable

• Lithium Heparin - Non-gel (Green Cap)
• SST II (Gold Cap)

Additional Specimen Information

4.5 mL PST Blood (Preferred)
Heparin 5 mL Heparin Blood
SST 3.5 mL SST Blood

Additional Referral/Aliquot Information

Aliquot Instructions Minimum 0.5 mL Plasma or Serum. Preferably >0.5 mL Plasma or Serum. No hemolysis! Freeze.
Aliquot Transport to labplus Frozen
Freeze sample at -20 degree before sending.

Test Method

Principle : Immunoturbidimetric assay

Assay : Roche Tina-quant Lipoprotein(a) Gen. 2

Analyser : Cobas c502

Uncertainty of Measurement

Uncertainty of Measurement: 5%

This test may be vetted by a pathologist.
The clinical information for the test must be clearly written on the request form. If clinical information is not provided, or does not provide sufficient justification for the test, the test may be declined.

Declined tests :

If a test is declined, the specimen will be held for a reasonable period (usually 3 weeks but dependant on the stability of the sample). Medical practitioners seeking approval for a declined test should email the on-call Chemical Pathologist ( chemicalpathologist@adhb.govt.nz ) , giving the patient's name and NHI number and the clinical justification for the test. If unable to email, call the on-call Chemical Pathologist via Lablink (09-3078995) and identify yourself as a doctor.

Test vetting policy

Contact Information