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Laboratory Medicine

Test Directory / Phosphate

Phosphate

Brown clotted serum, gel barrier or lithium heparin

TestPhosphate
Common AbbreviationsPhosphorus, PHO, PO4
ProfileBone Profile
Tube typeBrown clotted serum, gel barrier or lithium heparin
Clinical IndicationPhosphate is often measured as a follow up to abnormal serum calcium levels. Hypophosphataemia may be caused by decreased intake or absorption of phosphate such as occurs in Vitamin D deficiency, malabsorption and use of oral phosphate binders. it may also be caused by increased excretion or redistribution of phosphate which can occur in hyperparathyroidism, post renal transplant & re-feeding syndrome. Hyperphosphataemia can be caused by increased intake, hypoparathyroidism, acute & chronic renal failure and rhabdomyolysis.
Specimen TypeBlood
Sample typeSerum or plasma
Minimum Volume0.5mL If requesting more than 10 tests please send an additional brown clotted serum sample.
Special PrecautionsNo special requirements
Stability4 days at 2-8oC
Turnaround TimeUrgent: 2 hours Inpatient: 4 hours Outpatient/ GP: 24 hours
LaboratoryYork and Scarborough
Reference IntervalAdult: 0.8-1.5 mmol/L Neonate: 1.3-2.6 mmol/L Infant: 1.3-2.4 mmol/L 1 to 16 years: 0.9-1.8 mmol/L (Recommended by the Pathology Harmonisation Reference Group)
LimitationsLiposomes (drug delivery) may cause falsely elevated results. In very rare cases gammopathy, especially monoclonal IgM (Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia), may cause unreliable results.
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