Testing Laboratory
Auckland Te Toka Tumai | Auckland HospitalDepartment
Chemical Pathology
Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)
BGA
Test Code (Numeric Code)
6290
Laboratory Handling
Phlebotomy
Lithium Heparin (non-gel) is preferred. PST (light green cap), EDTA, Plain or SST Blood is acceptable.
Transport
Frozen. For routine analysis a sample sent immediately at room temperature to the laboratory is acceptable.
Separating
Separate plasma and freeze at -20C immediately.
Laboratory
LabPLUS Biochemical Genetics
Sample Stability
These can be tested and when frozen remain stable for 2 weeks. Record any delays on the request form.
Synonyms
Plasma amino acids, Alanine, Aminoacids, Glycine, Phenylalanine
Turnaround Time
10 days
Turnaround Time: Between 5 hours and 1 week, 3 days
Specimen Type
- Plasma
Specimen Requirements
Tube/Container Type:
Preferred
- Lithium Heparin - Non-gel (Green Cap)
Acceptable
- EDTA (Lavender Cap)
- Lithium Heparin PST- Gel (Light Green Cap)
- Plain (Red Top)
- SST II (Gold Cap)
Preferred Sample Volume (ml)
4.5
Minimum Sample Volume (ml)
0.5
No of Samples Required
1
Paediatric Specimen Requirements
Tube/Container Type:
Preferred
- Heparin (Microtainer)
Acceptable
- EDTA (Microtainer)
- Plain(Microtainer)
- SST(Microtainer)
Preferred Sample Volume (ml)
1
Minimum Sample Volume (ml)
0.5
Additional Specimen Information
Plasma Amino Acids Sample stability
Samples must be centrifuged, separated and frozen preferably within one hour of collection (no later than 2 hours). Place sample in freezer 36 in the Biochemical Genetics allocated tray. Record any delays on the request form.
On rare occasions if free homocystine is required sample must immediately be sent on ice to lab. 200uL plasma should be separated and frozen immediately at -80C.
Please note that dedicated EDTA plasma is acceptable for internal specimens IF separated immediately. Provided that the EDTA is solely for PLAA (i.e. cannot be shared)
Last updated: 11/11/2026