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Blood Sciences Test Repertoire

Specific test information including sample requirements, reference ranges, special requirements, expected turnaround times and testing laboratory are available in our test repertoire table. 

Important information to consider when reviewing the table:

  • Unless otherwise stated, the specimen container column in the Test repertoire refers to 1 standard bottle type. If more than 1 bottle of a container type is required, this will be stated, eg, for an inherited thrombophilia, requirements are 3 x citrate, 1 x serum & 1 x EDTA. This will be detailed as citrate (3), gel/serum, EDTA. If in doubt for paediatric requests or minimum sample volumes, please contact the laboratory.
  • For sample stability, please refer to Blood Sciences Stability and indices. Where possible, storage of samples after venepuncture should be avoided and all samples should be sent as soon as possible to the laboratory. Pre-analytical processes carried out in the laboratory can aid sample stability.
  • For all tests using samples in citrate, the bottle must be filled to the green line marked on the bottle label.  The ratio of anticoagulant to blood must be 1:9 therefore under or over-filling the bottle may affect the results and samples may not be tested. Do not store samples - Send immediately to the labs for pre analytical processing.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
Test repertoire table for Blood Sciences
Blood Sciences Sample Stability information

Sample volumes and collection bottle types

For details regarding sample volumes and specific collection bottle types, read our page on Sample requirements.

Adding tests to existing samples

Blood Sciences do not recommend or encourage the use of ‘add-on tests’.

However, under specific circumstances additional tests may be added to existing requests - provided the sample is viable and a valid request form is received.

To request additional tests on pathology samples in biochemistry and haematology, please request these electronically on ICE, where possible. 

If you are unable to request additional tests on ICE, please use the add on requesting form. 

Please hand deliver, scan or electronically complete the request form. Send the completed form via email to:
bdgh-tr.barnsleypathologyreception@nhs.net

Urgent requests may be telephoned to the laboratory but must be accompanied by a viable request form. Read our page on adding tests to existing requests for more information.

Referral laboratory contact details

Visit our Referral Laboratories page for addresses and telephone numbers of test referral laboratories listed in the test repertoire table.

Reference ranges

Haematology

Reference ranges have been derived from various recognised sources and guidelines:

  • “Practical Haematology” 2006, Tenth Edition, SM Lewis, B J Bain, L Bates
  • “Diagnosis in Paediatric Haematology”, 1996, Harry Smith
  • “Blood Cells-A Practical Guide”, 2002, Third Edition, Barbara J Bain
  • “Reference Intervals for a complete blood count determined on different automated haematology analysers”, Clin Chem Lab Med 2002;40:69-73. Jan Van Bossche et al
  • “Assessing the Bayer ADVIA 2120 Hematology Systems” Laboratory Hematology,  2005, Vol 11, Number 1, Neil Harris et al
  • “Total and Differential Leucocyte Counts in Infants”, Department of Paediatric Haematology, Sheffield Children’s Hospital, G J Bellamy et al “Normal ranges from Sheffield Children’s Hospital” 2009

Biochemistry

Reference ranges have been derived from various recognised sources and guidelines. The majority of reference ranges are aligned to the:

  • Pathology Harmony Group, Clinical Biochemistry Outcomes, January 2011 

For further information please contact the Clinical Biochemists.

Sample requirements

Referral laboratories

Adding tests to existing requests