Investigation Name:Potassium – Serum

Accreditation:UKAS Accredited ISO15189:2022, on scope

Pathology Laboratory:Clinical Chemistry/ Biochemistry

Requestable Seperately?No

Part of Profile:UE

Tests in Profile:Na ;K; U; Cre; eGFR

Lower Reference Range Limit:3.5 mmol/L

Upper Reference Range Limit:5.3 mmol/L

Units:mmol/L

Minimum Sample Volume:1mL as part of U&E

Expected Turnaround Time:Inpatients: 4 hrs. Outpatients:1 day (from receipt)

Test Code:UE

Sample Type:

Maximum Add on Time:3 days

Complex Reference Range: Paediatric ranges for plasma K:
<4 wks 3.4 – 6.0 mmol/L
4 wks – 1 yr 3.5 – 5.7 mmol/L
1 – 16 yrs 3.5 – 5.0 mmol/L Pregnancy 3.2 - 4.1 mmol/L

Collection Conditions / Other Information:DO NOT refrigerate prior to centrifugation and transport to lab as soon as possible.
Delayed separation ("left on cells") falsely increases potassium.
Spurious hyperkalaemia may also occur in thrombocytosis; leukocytosis and contamination with EDTA (additive in FBC and glucose tubes)
Haemolysed sera cannot be analysed.

Referred to Another Laboratory?No

Site Sample Tested:All acute sites

Contact Number:01902 307 999 Ext 88266