Investigation Name:Potassium – Serum

Alias or Abbreviation:K

Pathology Laboratory:Clinical Chemistry Ext 88266

Requestable Seperately?No

Part of Profile:UE

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

E-Requesting Tab:Routine Pathology or GP Panel>GP Routine

Lower Reference Range Limit:3.5

Upper Reference Range Limit:5.3

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:PLEASE NOTE: CHANGE OF REFERENCE RANGE FROM 16/04/13. Paediatric ranges for plasma K: <4 wks 3.4 – 6.0 4 wks – 1 yr 3.5 – 5.7 1 – 16 yrs 3.5 – 5.0 Pregnancy 3.2 - 4.1

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