Common test name Primary test name Specimen Container Referred test Patient cost Comments/Instructions
Ocular specimens - Chlamydia trachomatis PCR Chlamydia trachomatis DNA (PCR) in swabs Genital or eye swab  Dry Swab  No  No  The referring clinician collects cervical swabs. Urethral swabs may be collected at collection cent... (more)  
Oestradiol, 17ß Oestradiol Oestradiol, 17ß Oestradiol Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Oestriol Oestriol, Serum   N/A  No  No   
Oestriol, Serum Oestriol, Serum   N/A  No  No   
Oestriol, Urine Oestriol, Urine   N/A  No  No   
OGCT Glucose Challenge Test Blood  Fluoride oxalate Tube 2 ml  No  No  This test is only performed on pregnant women. Blood glucose levels should be checked using a glucos... (more)  
OGTT Glucose Tolerance Test Blood (X 3)  Fluoride oxalate Tube 2 ml  No  No  NB: Some clinicians request GTT & insulin levels, in which case a lithum heparin tube (on ice) must ... (more)  
Olanzapine Olanzapine Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  Yes  No  Trough level - collect at least 6-8 hours after last dose. Venepuncture. Date, time and dose of las... (more)  
Oligoclonal bands CSF Electrophoresis CSF  CSF tube(s)  No  No  A blood specimen for Serum Electrophoresis must be collected within 4 days of CSF collection. Collec... (more)  
Opiates 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)  
Opiates, Urine Opiates, Urine Urine  Urine/Specimen container 50ml  No  No  All urine drug screens should be supervised. Indicate that the collection was supervised by writing... (more)  
Oral Glucose Challenge Test Glucose Challenge Test Blood  Fluoride oxalate Tube 2 ml  No  No  This test is only performed on pregnant women. Blood glucose levels should be checked using a glucos... (more)  
Oral Glucose Tolerance test Glucose Tolerance Test Blood (X 3)  Fluoride oxalate Tube 2 ml  No  No  NB: Some clinicians request GTT & insulin levels, in which case a lithum heparin tube (on ice) must ... (more)  
Oral Swab, Hard Palate or Soft Palate Oral Swab, Hard Palate or Soft Palate Swab of mouth  Transswab- swab in transport medium  No  No  A Virocult swab must be used if viral investigations are requested. Mouth and gums: Use a Transwab... (more)  
Orbital cellulitis Lacrimal swab Swab OR Pus  Transswab- swab in transport medium  No  No  Clinical notes required. Collected by referring Clinician.  
Organic Acid Screen, Urine Organic Acid Screen, Urine Urine  Urine container Plain 24 hour  Yes  No   
Organophosphate pesticide screening Cholinesterase, Red Cell Blood  EDTA Tube 4 ml  Yes  No   
Ornithine, Urine Ornithine, Urine Urine  Urine container Plain 24 hour  Yes  No   
Orotic Acid Orotic Acid Urine  Urine/Specimen container 50ml  Yes  No   
Osmolality, Faeces Osmolality, Faeces Random faeces  Faeces container  Yes  No  Faecal samples should be at least semi-liquid in nature. Solid, well-formed stool specimens are not ... (more)  
Osmolality, Serum Osmolality, Serum Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Osmolality, Urine Osmolality, Urine Urine  Urine/Specimen container 50ml  No  No   
Osmotic Fragility Osmotic Fragility Blood  Lithium Heparin Tube WITHOUT GEL  No  No  Consult laboratory on 9288 4226, test by appointment only. Deliver within 2 hours. Venepuncture  
Osteocalcin Osteocalcin Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  Yes  No   
Otitis externa, Microscopy and culture Ear Swab, Microscopy and culture Ear swab  Transswab- swab in transport medium  No  No   
Otitis media, Microscopy and culture Ear Swab, Microscopy and culture Ear swab  Transswab- swab in transport medium  No  No   
Ovarian Cyst Fluid Cytology, Cyst Fluid Cyst Fluid  Urine/Specimen container 50ml  No  No  Sample may be shared with Microbiology. Please check other laboratory collection requirements. Colle... (more)  
Ovary antibodies Anti-Ovary antibodies Blood  Serum Separator Tube (SST)  No  No   
Ovary swab Fallopian Tube Swab Fluid/tissue or swabs  Transswab- swab in transport medium  No  No  The work-up performed is dependent on the clinical notes provided. A collection for Chlamydia PCR te... (more)  
Oxalate, Urine Oxalate, Urine Urine  Urine container Acid 24 hour  Yes  No