Common test name Primary test name Specimen Container Referred test Patient cost Comments/Instructions
AAT Alpha-1-Antitrypsin Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
ABO group & DCT Cord Blood Studies Cord blood  Plain Tube 10 ml  No  No   
Abscess Fluid, Microscopy and culture Pus, Microscopy and culture Pus  Sterile container  No  No  None. The referring clinician collects samples from unruptured abscesses by aspiration of contents w... (more)  
Acanthamoeba examination Acanthamoeba examination Corneal scraping  Corneal collection kit  No  No  Acanthamoeba media available from Microbiology. Deliver immediately. Collected by referring clinic... (more)  
ACE (Angiotensin Converting Enzyme) ACE (Angiotensin Converting Enzyme) Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No  Fasting specimens preferred (10-hour overnight fast) Venepuncture.  
ACE, CSF Angiotensin Converting Enzyme, CSF CSF  CSF tube(s)  Yes  No   
Acetaminophen Paracetamol Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No  Note time of collection in relationship to suspected overdose Venepuncture.  
Acetyl Choline Receptor antibodies Anti-Acetyl Choline Receptor antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  Yes  No   
Aciclovir Acyclovir Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No  Trough level - collect at least 6-8 hours after last dose. Venepuncture. Date, time and dose of la... (more)  
Acid Elution test for foetal haemoglobin Kleihauer Test Blood  EDTA Tube 4 ml  No  No   
Acid Maltase Acid Maltase Blood  Lithium Heparin Tube  Yes  No  2ml Aliquot of Serum/Plasma; Overnight Flight to Adelaide, SA. Venepuncture  
Acid Phosphatase Acid Phosphatase Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  Yes  No  Not Routinely Sent: Consult Senior Biochemistry Staff. Venepuncture.  
Acidified Serum Test for PNH Paroxysmal Nocturnal Haemoglobinuria screen Blood  EDTA Tube 4 ml  No  No  Consult Haematology before collection on 9288 4226 Venepuncture  
ACR (Albumin creatinine ratio) Microalbumin Urine  Urine container 200ml  No  No   
ACTH Adrenocorticotrophic Hormone (ACTH) Blood  EDTA Tube 4 ml  No  No  Place sample on ice and deliver to laboratory within 4 hrs of collection. Venepuncture.  
Actinomyces culture - IUD Intra Uterine Device (IUD) Intra Uterine Device (IUD)  Sterile container  No  No   
Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time Blood  Sodium citrate Tube 2.7 ml  No  No  Sodium citrate tubes must be filled to the line. Keep at 4ºC, deliver within 4 hours. Heparinised ... (more)  
Activated Protein C Resistance Activated Protein C Resistance Blood  Sodium citrate Tube 2.7 ml  No  No  Sodium citrate tubes must be filled to the line. Keep at 4ºC, deliver within 4 hours. Venepuncture  
Acyclovir Acyclovir Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No  Trough level - collect at least 6-8 hours after last dose. Venepuncture. Date, time and dose of la... (more)  
Acyl Carnitine Profile Acyl Carnitine Profile Blood  Lithium Heparin Tube  Yes  No   
Adenosine Deaminase, Pleural Fluid Adenosine Deaminase, Pleural Fluid Pleural Fluid  **Sterile container  Yes  No   
Adenovirus antibodies Adenovirus antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  Yes  No  Collect acute and convalescent sera two weeks apart Venepuncture  
Adenovirus antigen Faeces, Detection of Viral antigens Faeces (random X 1)  Faeces container  No  No  Specimen must arrive in laboratory within 24 hours of collection. Parasite kits (for clinicians) a... (more)  
Adenovirus Investigation - ocular specimens Adenovirus Investigation - ocular specimens Conjuctival swab or conjunctival scrapings  Virocult- swab in viral transport medium  Yes  No  Blue top TransSwab should also be collected if bacterial culture is required It is important to clea... (more)  
Adenovirus PCR- respiratory Respiratory Viral PCR   Sterile container  Yes  No   
Adrenal antibodies Anti-Adrenal Cortex antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Adrenal Cortex antibodies Anti-Adrenal Cortex antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Adrenaline, Urine Catecholamines, Urine Timed Urine  Urine container Acid 24 hour  No  No   
Adrenocorticotrophic Hormone (ACTH) Adrenocorticotrophic Hormone (ACTH) Blood  EDTA Tube 4 ml  No  No  Place sample on ice and deliver to laboratory within 4 hrs of collection. Venepuncture.  
AFB (Acid and alcohol fast bacilli)- blood Blood Cultures, Mycobacterium Blood  Blood culture bottles (BACTEC) Mycolytic  No  No  Mycolytic blood culture bottles are available from laboratory on request. DO NOT refrigerate under ... (more)  
AFB (Acid and Alcohol Fast Bacilli)- CSF CSF Investigation for Mycobacteria. CSF  CSF tube(s)  No  No  Deliver immediately. Collected by referring Clinician.  
AFB (Acid and Alcohol Fast Bacilli)- fluid Aspirated fluid - Mycobacteria investigation Fluid  Sterile container  No  No   
AFB (Acid and Alcohol Fast Bacilli)- sputum Sputum - Mycobacteria investigation Sputum  Urine/Specimen container 50ml  No  No  Three early morning specimens If patient is ordered a nebulizer, administer prior to specimen collec... (more)  
AFB (Acid and Alcohol Fast Bacilli)- tissue Tissue, for AFB Investigation Tissue  Sterile container  No  No   
AFB (Acid and Alcohol Fast Bacilli)- urine Urine, Early morning for Mycobacterium Urine  Urine container 200ml  No  No  Three early morning urine voidings Submit entire urine voided. Minimise contamination. Hold urine... (more)  
AFP Alpha-Fetoprotein Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
AIDS Serology Human Immunodeficiency Virus antibodies Type 1 & 2 Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No  Consent and counselling of patient is required - by requesting clinician Venepuncture.  
Air samples Air samples Agar plates  Agar plates (settle plates)  No  No  Contact Microbiology laboratory to organise supply of agar plates State sampling method and time of ... (more)  
Al Aluminium Blood  Sodium Heparin Tube 7 mL  Yes  No  Sodium Heparin Tubes available from stores on request. Venepuncture  
ALA Aminolevulinate Blood  Lithium Heparin Tube  Yes  No   
Alanine Aminotransferase Alanine Aminotransferase Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Alb Albumin Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Albumin Albumin Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Albumin creatinine ratio Microalbumin Urine  Urine container 200ml  No  No   
Albumin, Urine Microalbumin Urine  Urine container 200ml  No  No   
Alcohol Ethanol Blood  Fluoride oxalate Tube 2 ml  No  No  Results from this assay are not for medico-legal use. Do not use alcohol swab on skin. Cap specime... (more)  
Aldolase Aldolase   N/A  No  No   
Aldosterone Aldosterone Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  Yes  No  Place on ice deliver to lab WITHIN 4 hrs of collection. Venepuncture.  
Aldosterone, Urine Aldosterone, Urine Urine  Urine container Plain 24 hour  Yes  No   
Alkaline Phosphatase Alkaline Phosphatase Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Alkaline phosphatase fractionation Alkaline Phosphatase Isoenzymes Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Alkaline Phosphatase Isoenzymes Alkaline Phosphatase Isoenzymes Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Allergy IgE antibodies Specific IgE Testing for Allergens Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No  Request slip must specify which allergens are required. Consult laboratory if necessary. Venepunctur... (more)  
Allergy testing Specific IgE Testing for Allergens Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No  Request slip must specify which allergens are required. Consult laboratory if necessary. Venepunctur... (more)  
Alpha 1 Anti Trypsin - Faecal Clearance Alpha 1 Anti Trypsin - Faecal Clearance Faeces  Faeces container  Yes  No  3 Day Collection Send Serum AAT Level with Faeces Sample  
Alpha 1 Anti Trypsin Genotype Alpha 1 Anti Trypsin Genotype Blood  EDTA Tube 4 ml  Yes  No   
alpha 1 antitrypsin Alpha-1-Anti-Trypsin Phenotype Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  Yes  No   
Alpha Galactosidase A Alpha Galactosidase A Blood  EDTA Tube 4 ml  Yes  No   
Alpha Glycoprotein Subunit Alpha Glycoprotein Subunit Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  Yes  No   
Alpha Tocopherol Vitamin E Blood  Lithium Heparin Tube  Yes  No  PROTECT FROM LIGHT; cover container with foil. Place on ice and deliver to laboratory WITHIN 4hrs o... (more)  
Alpha-1-Antitrypsin Alpha-1-Antitrypsin Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Alpha-1-Anti-Trypsin Phenotype Alpha-1-Anti-Trypsin Phenotype Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  Yes  No   
Alpha-Fetoprotein Alpha-Fetoprotein Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
ALT (Alanine Amino Transferase) Alanine Aminotransferase Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Aluminium Aluminium Blood  Sodium Heparin Tube 7 mL  Yes  No  Sodium Heparin Tubes available from stores on request. Venepuncture  
AMA (Anti-Mitochondrial antibody) Anti-Mitochondrial antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Amikacin Amikacin Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No  Pre does level prefered, post dose levels are not rourinely performed. Pre dose - collected 5-... (more)  
Amino Acid Screen Amino Acid Screen, Serum Blood  Lithium Heparin Tube  Yes  No  Must be Frozen Venepuncture; Place on ICE and deliver to laboratory WITHIN four hours of collection  
Amino Acid Screen, Serum Amino Acid Screen, Serum Blood  Lithium Heparin Tube  Yes  No  Must be Frozen Venepuncture; Place on ICE and deliver to laboratory WITHIN four hours of collection  
Amino Acids, Urine Amino Acids, Urine Urine  Urine/Specimen container 50ml  Yes  No   
Aminolevulinate Aminolevulinate Blood  Lithium Heparin Tube  Yes  No   
Amiodarone Amiodarone Blood  EDTA Tube 4 ml  No  No  Trough level - collect at least 6-8 hours after last dose. Venepuncture. Date, time and dose of la... (more)  
Ammonia Ammonia Blood  Lithium Heparin Tube  No  No  Place specimen on ice and deliver IMMEDIATELY to laboratory WITHIN 15 minutes of collection. Venepun... (more)  
Ammonium Ammonia Blood  Lithium Heparin Tube  No  No  Place specimen on ice and deliver IMMEDIATELY to laboratory WITHIN 15 minutes of collection. Venepun... (more)  
Amoebic antibodies Entamoeba histolytica antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  Yes  No   
Amphetamines Drug Screen, Urine Urine  Urine/Specimen container 50ml  No  No  All urine drug screens should be supervised. Indicate that the collection was supervised by writing... (more)  
Amphetamines, Urine Amphetamines, Urine Urine  Urine/Specimen container 50ml  No  No  All urine drug screens should be supervised. Indicate that the collection was supervised by writing... (more)  
Amylase Amylase Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Amylase, Urine Amylase, Urine Urine  Urine container Plain 24 hour  No  No   
ANA (Anti-Nuclear antibodies) Anti-Nuclear antibodies (ANA) Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
ANCA Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Ab's Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Ancotil Flucytosine (5FC) Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No  Pre dose - collected 5-30 minutes prior to dose. Post dose - collected 30 minutes post IV... (more)  
Androgen Metabolites, Urine Androgen Metabolites, Urine Urine  Urine container Plain 24 hour  Yes  No   
Androgens, Urine Androgen Metabolites, Urine Urine  Urine container Plain 24 hour  Yes  No   
Androstenedione Androstenedione Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  Yes  No   
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme ACE (Angiotensin Converting Enzyme) Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No  Fasting specimens preferred (10-hour overnight fast) Venepuncture.  
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme, CSF Angiotensin Converting Enzyme, CSF CSF  CSF tube(s)  Yes  No   
Anti GD1b antibodies Anti-Ganglioside GD1b antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Anti GM1 antibodies Anti-Ganglioside GM1 antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Anti IA-2 Antibodies Anti IA-2 Antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  Yes  No   
ANTI LEUCOCYTE ANTIBODIES HLA antibodies Blood  Plain Tube 10 ml  Yes  No   
Anti Neutrophil Anitbodies Anti Neutrophil Anitbodies Blood  Plain Tube 10 ml  Yes  No   
Anti Platelet Antibodies Anti Platelet Antibodies Blood  Plain Tube 10 ml  Yes  No   
Anti Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Antibodies ASCA Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  Yes  No   
Anti-Acetyl Choline Receptor antibodies Anti-Acetyl Choline Receptor antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  Yes  No   
Anti-Adrenal antibodies Anti-Adrenal Cortex antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Anti-Adrenal Cortex antibodies Anti-Adrenal Cortex antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Anti-Basement Membrane of Skin antibodies Anti-Basement Membrane of Skin antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Anti-Beta-2-Glycoprotein I antibodies Anti-Beta-2-Glycoprotein I antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Antibody Screen (Red Cell antibodies) Antibody Screen (Red Cell antibodies) Blood  EDTA Tube 6ml  No  No   
Antibody titre Antibody Screen (Red Cell antibodies) Blood  EDTA Tube 6ml  No  No   
Anti-Cardiac Muscle antibodies Anti-Heart Muscle antibodies (Cardiac Muscle Abs) Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Anti-Cardiolipin antibodies Anti-Cardiolipin antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No  Avoid haemolysis - haemolysed samples are unsuitable. Venepuncture.  
Anti-CCP Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Anti-CV2 antibodies Anti-CV2 antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Antidiuretic Hormone Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH) Blood  EDTA Tube 4 ml  Yes  No  Place on ice and deliver to laboratory WITHIN 4 hours of collection. Venepuncture.  
Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH) Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH) Blood  EDTA Tube 4 ml  Yes  No  Place on ice and deliver to laboratory WITHIN 4 hours of collection. Venepuncture.  
Anti-DNA antibodies Anti-DNA antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Anti-Double Stranded DNA Anti-DNA antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Anti-ENA (Extractable Nuclear Antigens) Anti-ENA (Extractable Nuclear Antigens) Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Anti-Endomysial antibodies Anti-Endomysial antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Anti-Extractable Nuclear Antigens Anti-ENA (Extractable Nuclear Antigens) Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Anti-Factor Xa Anti-Factor Xa Blood  Sodium citrate Tube 2.7 ml  No  No  Sodium citrate tubes must be filled to the line. Keep at 4ºC, deliver within 4 hours. Venepuncture  
anti-factor Xa assay Heparin Assay Blood  Sodium citrate Tube 2.7 ml  No  No  Sodium citrate tubes must be filled to the line. Venepuncture  
Anti-GAD antibodies GAD antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  Yes  No  Specimen must be Frozen. Venepuncture  
Anti-Ganglioside GD1b antibodies Anti-Ganglioside GD1b antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Anti-Ganglioside GM1 antibodies Anti-Ganglioside GM1 antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Anti-GBM antibodies Anti-GBM antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Anti-Gliadin antibodies Anti-Gliadin antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Anti-GQ1b antibodies Anti-GQ1b antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Anti-Heart Muscle antibodies (Cardiac Muscle Abs) Anti-Heart Muscle antibodies (Cardiac Muscle Abs) Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Anti-Histone antibodies Anti-Histone antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  Yes  No   
Anti-Hu antibodies Anti-Hu antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Anti-Insulin antibodies Anti-Insulin antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Anti-Interferon antibodies Anti-Interferon antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  Yes  No  Collect specimen AT LEAST 24 hours (can be longer) after last Interferon dose Venepuncture  
Anti-intracellular substance of squamous epithelium Anti-intracellular substance of squamous epithelium Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Anti-Intrinsic Factor antibodies Anti-Intrinsic Factor antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Anti-Liver Kidney Microsome antibodies Anti-Liver Kidney Microsome antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Anti-LKM antibodies Anti-Liver Kidney Microsome antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Anti-MAG Antibodies Anti-MAG Antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  Yes  Yes   
Anti-Mitochondrial antibodies Anti-Mitochondrial antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Anti-MPO antibodies Anti-Myeloperoxidase antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Anti-MuSK Antibodies Anti-MuSK Antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  Yes  No   
Anti-Myelin Associated Glycoprotien Antibodies Anti-MAG Antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  Yes  Yes   
Anti-Myeloperoxidase antibodies Anti-Myeloperoxidase antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Anti-Neuronal antibodies Anti-Neuronal antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Ab's Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Ab's Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Anti-Nuclear antibodies (ANA) Anti-Nuclear antibodies (ANA) Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Anti-Ovary antibodies Anti-Ovary antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Anti-Parietal Cell antibodies Anti-Parietal Cell antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Anti-Phospholipid antibodies Anti-Cardiolipin antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No  Avoid haemolysis - haemolysed samples are unsuitable. Venepuncture.  
Anti-Pituitary antibodies Anti-Pituitary antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  Yes  No  Test is only performed after being approved by Pathologist (who will speak to requesting doctor). Ve... (more)  
Anti-Proteinase 3 antibodies Anti-Proteinase 3 antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Anti-Purkinje Cell antibodies Anti-Purkinje Cell antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Anti-Ri antibodies Anti-Ri antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Anti-Salivary Duct antibodies Anti-Salivary Duct antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Anti-Skeletal Muscle antibodies Anti-Skeletal Muscle antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Anti-Smooth Muscle antibodies Anti-Smooth Muscle antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Anti-Streptolysin O Titre ASOT, (Anti-Streptolysin O Titre) Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  Yes  No   
Anti-Striated Muscle antibodies Anti-Skeletal Muscle antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Anti-Thrombin III Activity Anti-Thrombin III Activity Blood  Sodium citrate Tube 2.7 ml  No  No  Sodium citrate tubes must be filled to the line. Keep at 4ºC, deliver within 4 hours. Venepuncture  
Anti-Thyroglobulin antibodies Anti-Thyroglobulin antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Anti-Thyroid antibodies Anti-Thyroid antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Anti-Thyroid Peroxidase antibodies Anti-Thyroid Peroxidase antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Anti-Transglutaminase antibodies Anti-Transglutaminase antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Anti-Yo antibodies Anti-Yo antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Antral biopsy for Helicobacter pylori Gastric biopsy for Helicobacter pylori Gastric biopsy - Urease test  Sterile container  No  No   
AP Alkaline Phosphatase Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
APCR Activated Protein C Resistance Blood  Sodium citrate Tube 2.7 ml  No  No  Sodium citrate tubes must be filled to the line. Keep at 4ºC, deliver within 4 hours. Venepuncture  
APCR gene mutation Leiden Mutation (Factor V) Blood  EDTA Tube 4 ml  No  No   
Apolipoprotein (a) Lipoprotein (a) Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  Yes  Overnight fast Venepuncture  
Apolipoprotein A1 Apolipoprotein A1 Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  Yes  Overnight fast Venepuncture  
Apolipoprotein B Apolipoprotein B Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  Yes  Overnight fast Venepuncture  
Apolipoprotein C II Apolipoprotein C II Blood  EDTA Tube 4 ml  No  No   
Apolipoprotein E Genotype Apolipoprotein E Genotype Blood  EDTA Tube 4 ml  No  Yes   
APTT Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time Blood  Sodium citrate Tube 2.7 ml  No  No  Sodium citrate tubes must be filled to the line. Keep at 4ºC, deliver within 4 hours. Heparinised ... (more)  
Aqueous Humour, Microscopy and culture Aqueous Humour, Microscopy and culture Aspirate  Sterile container  No  No  Deliver immediately. Collected by referring Clinician.  
Arsenic, Urine Arsenic, Urine Urine  Urine/Specimen container 50ml  Yes  No   
Arsenic, Whole Blood Arsenic, Whole Blood Blood  Lithium Heparin Tube  Yes  No  DO NOT CENTRIFUGE Venepuncture.  
Arterial Blood Gases Blood Gases (Includes Glucose & Electrolytes) Blood  Syringe * Blood Gas  No  No  Arterial blood collection required. Only collected by Patient services staff with current competency... (more)  
Arterial line Catheter, Intravenous Catheter Tip, for Microbiology Catheter tip  Sterile container  No  No  Indicate on Request Form and specimen container, type and site of catheter. Collected by referring c... (more)  
Asbestos Body/Ferruginous Body Cytology, sputum Sputum  Urine/Specimen container 50ml  No  No  Three specimens on three successive days should be collected. Sample may be shared with Microbiolog... (more)  
ASCA ASCA Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  Yes  No   
Ascites Cytology, Peritoneal Fluid Peritoneal Fluid  Urine/Specimen container 50ml  No  No  Do not send large volumes of fluid in Plastic Bags. Sample may be shared with Microbiology, Biochemi... (more)  
Ascitic Fluid Cytology, Peritoneal Fluid Peritoneal Fluid  Urine/Specimen container 50ml  No  No  Do not send large volumes of fluid in Plastic Bags. Sample may be shared with Microbiology, Biochemi... (more)  
Ascitic Fluid, Microscopy and culture Ascitic Fluid, Microscopy and culture Aspirate  Sterile container  No  No  If a cell count is required, also send 1 ml of fluid in a Lithium Heparin tube Collected by referrin... (more)  
Ascorbic acid Vitamin C Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  Yes  No  PROTECT FROM LIGHT by covering specimen with foil. Place on ice and deliver to laboratory WITHIN 4h... (more)  
Asialo-Transferrin Asialo-Transferrin Body Fluid  Sterile container  No  Yes   
ASOT, (Anti-Streptolysin O Titre) ASOT, (Anti-Streptolysin O Titre) Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  Yes  No   
Aspartate Amino Transferase AST (Aspartate Amino Transferase) Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No  Avoid haemolysis - samples unsuitable if haemolysed Venepuncture.  
Aspergillus Precipitins Aspergillus Precipitins Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  Yes  No   
Aspirate (Ascitic), Microscopy and culture Ascitic Fluid, Microscopy and culture Aspirate  Sterile container  No  No  If a cell count is required, also send 1 ml of fluid in a Lithium Heparin tube Collected by referrin... (more)  
Aspirate (Pericardial), Microscopy and culture Pericardial Fluid, Microscopy and culture Aspirate  Sterile container  No  No  Deliver within 1 hour, if a cell count is requested. Viral examination may be performed if requeste... (more)  
Aspirate (Peritoneal), Microscopy and culture Peritoneal Fluid, Microscopy and culture Aspirated Fluid  Sterile container  No  No  Deliver within 1 hour.If a cell count is requested Collected by referring Clinician.  
Aspirate (Pleural), Microscopy and culture Pleural Fluid, Microscopy and culture Aspirate  Sterile container  No  No  None. Collected by referring Clinician.  
Aspirate, Microscopy and culture Fluid, Microscopy and culture Fluid  Sterile container  No  No   
Aspirated fluid - Mycobacteria investigation Aspirated fluid - Mycobacteria investigation Fluid  Sterile container  No  No   
Asprin Salicylate Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No  Note time of collection in relationship to suspected overdose. Venepuncture  
AST (Aspartate Amino Transferase) AST (Aspartate Amino Transferase) Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No  Avoid haemolysis - samples unsuitable if haemolysed Venepuncture.  
AT3 Anti-Thrombin III Activity Blood  Sodium citrate Tube 2.7 ml  No  No  Sodium citrate tubes must be filled to the line. Keep at 4ºC, deliver within 4 hours. Venepuncture  
Atenolol Atenolol Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  Yes  No  Assay not routinely available. Laboratory must be consulted prior to collection. Venepuncture  
ATIII Anti-Thrombin III Activity Blood  Sodium citrate Tube 2.7 ml  No  No  Sodium citrate tubes must be filled to the line. Keep at 4ºC, deliver within 4 hours. Venepuncture  
Attest indicators Spore strips Biological indicator  Biological indicators  No  No   
Atypical Mycobacteria (Mycobacterium avium complex Blood Cultures, Mycobacterium Blood  Blood culture bottles (BACTEC) Mycolytic  No  No  Mycolytic blood culture bottles are available from laboratory on request. DO NOT refrigerate under ... (more)  
Atypical Mycobacteria (Mycobacterium avium complex)-fluid Aspirated fluid - Mycobacteria investigation Fluid  Sterile container  No  No   
Atypical Mycobacteria (Mycobacterium avium complex)-sputum Sputum - Mycobacteria investigation Sputum  Urine/Specimen container 50ml  No  No  Three early morning specimens If patient is ordered a nebulizer, administer prior to specimen collec... (more)  
Atypical Mycobacteria (Mycobacterium avium complex)-tissue Tissue, for AFB Investigation Tissue  Sterile container  No  No   
Atypical Mycobacteria (Mycobacterium avium complex)-urine Urine, Early morning for Mycobacterium Urine  Urine container 200ml  No  No  Three early morning urine voidings Submit entire urine voided. Minimise contamination. Hold urine... (more)  
Atypical pneumonia serology - Legionella Legionella pneumophila antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  Yes  No  If blood is drawn during the acute phase of the illlness please send convalescent sample 4 - 6 weeks... (more)  
Atypical pneumonia serology - Mycoplasma Mycoplasma pneumoniae antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  Yes  Yes  If blood is drawn during the acute phase of the illlness please send convalescent sample 2 weeks lat... (more)  
Atypical pneumonia serology (Chlamydia) Chlamydia antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  Yes  No  If blood is drawn during the acute phase of the illlness please send convalescent sample 2 weeks lat... (more)  
Australian encephalitis antibodies Murray Valley Encephalitis Virus antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  Yes  No   
Australian Encephalitis Virus PCR Flavivirus PCR Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  Yes  Yes  Clinical details essential. Tests can also performed on CSF. Venepuncture.  
Autoclave testing Spore strips Biological indicator  Biological indicators  No  No   
Auto-haemolysis Test Auto-haemolysis Test Blood  Lithium Heparin Tube WITHOUT GEL  No  No  Consult Haematology on 9288 4226. Test by appointment only. Venepuncture  
Avian Precipitins Avian Precipitins Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  Yes  No  List specific birds for which testing is required. Venepuncture  
Axilla swab- MRSA MRSA Screen Swab, nose, perineum, and other sites, if required  Transswab- swab in transport medium  No  No  If three sets of swabs are required for clearance, collect on three consecutive days, not all on one... (more)  
Axilla Swab, Neonatal Sepsis Axilla Swab, Neonatal Sepsis Surface swab  Transswab- swab in transport medium  No  No