Preferred Sample Type
Suitable Specimen Types
- Serum
- Li Hep Plasma
Sample Processing in Laboratory
Usual
Sample Preparation
Centrifuge
Turnaround Time
1 daySample Stability
Non-haemolysed serum or heparinised or EDTA plasma from fasting patients are the specimens of choice. Both direct and total bilirubin undergo photo-oxidation or dehydrogenation to biliverdin or other intermediate products upon exposure to white light, either artificial or sunlight.
Serum bilirubin may drop as much as 50% after one hour exposure to sunlight. For optimal stability, both darkness and low temperature are necessary.
At room temperature, in total darkness, samples are stable for 2 days. Samples are stable for 4 to 7 days in the refrigerator and frozen samples are stable for 3 months if totally protected from light.
Bilirubin (Total)
General Information
Bilirubin measurements are used in the diagnosis and monitoring of liver disease, haemolytic anaemia and in the assessment of severe jaundice, especially in neonates.
Patient Preparation
None
Notes
Lipaemia and haemolysis cause interference in samples from adults. Haemolysis does not cause interference in neonatal samples.
Reference Range
14 days - Adult <21 umol/L
(Source : Pathology Harmony Recommendations)
Specifications
- EQA Scheme?: Yes
-
EQA Status:
WEQAS and NEQAS