Testing Laboratory
Auckland Te Toka Tumai | Auckland HospitalDepartment
Chemical Pathology
Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)
BPYR
Test Code (Numeric Code)
0178
Laboratory Handling
Phlebotomy
In addition to venous blood, arterial blood is accepted. Capillary blood is not accepted.
Transport
Only applies to samples collected at AKH. Send on ice within 5 minutes to the laboratory. Please phone LabPLUS to give advance warning that sample is being sent. As pyruvate is unstable, falsely low levels may be seen if samples do not reach the laboratory on ice, within 5 minutes of sampling.
Separating
Do NOT centrifuge Lithium-Heparin Non-Gel tubes and Lithium-Heparin Non-Gel Microtainer Tubes.
Laboratory
LabPLUS Special Techniques
Sample Stability
Whole blood samples must be deproteinised within 5 minutes of receipt in laboratory, and stored at 2-8°C.
Synonyms
Pyruvate - blood
Turnaround Time
1 week
Performed as required
Specimen Type
- Whole Blood
Specimen Requirements
Tube/Container Type:
Preferred
- Lithium Heparin - Non-gel (Green Cap)
Preferred Sample Volume (ml)
4
Minimum Sample Volume (ml)
2
Paediatric Specimen Requirements
Tube/Container Type:
Preferred
- Please refer to Additional Information below
Minimum Sample Volume (ml)
1
Additional Specimen Information
2 x Paediatric Lithium-Heparin Non-Gel Microtainer Tubes (Dark Green top).
Last updated: 20/10/2026