Copper (Tissue)

Testing Laboratory

Auckland Te Toka Tumai | Auckland Hospital

Department

Chemical Pathology

Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)

LBCU

Test Code (Numeric Code)

3205

Laboratory Handling

Phlebotomy

A liver biopsy sample at least 1 cm long is required

Transport

It should be wrapped in clean, dust-free aluminium foil and placed in a plastic urine container for immediate transport to the laboratory. If there is likely to be a significant delay in delivering the sample to the laboratory, it should be frozen and sent on ice.

Separating

Deliver to Trace Metals staff on arrival. If out-of-hours, freeze

Laboratory

LabPLUS Trace Metals

Sample Stability

Freeze immediately on arrival at LabPlus.
Once lyophylised - indefinite

Synonyms

Copper - liver biopsy, Liver copper, liver biopsy copper

Turnaround Time

3 weeks

Specimen Type

  • Tissue

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred
  • Please refer to Additional Information below

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred
  • Please refer to Additional Information below

Pre-testing Requirements

Paraffin-embedded samples are not suitable.

Additional Specimen Information

A liver biopsy sample at least 1 cm long is required
It should be wrapped in clean, dust-free aluminium foil and placed in a plastic urine container for immediate transport to the laboratory. If there is likely to be a significant delay in delivering the sample to the laboratory, it should be frozen and sent on ice.

Last updated: 27/08/2026