Examinations referred to other laboratories

Sometimes it will be necessary for examinations to be referred to other laboratories. This may be for analyte measurements such as haematocrit, creatinine or specialised analysis such as genetic sequencing. Interpretation of total red blood cell porphyrins requires the result to be normalised with the haematocrit value, which is a measurement of the fraction of red blood cells in a blood sample. Interpretation of PBG and total urine porphyrins requires the result to be normalised to the amount of creatinine in the urine, so that changes in urine concentration can be accounted for. Creatinine and haematocrit tests are performed by NHS Tayside Blood Sciences (a UKAS accredited Medical laboratory No.8681). In extenuating circumstances, porphyrin analyses may be undertaken by Cardiff Porphyria Service, within Cardiff and Vale University Health Board (UKAS accredited Medical Laboratory No. 8989).

Samples for genetic sequencing may be referred to the East of Scotland Regional Genetics Service (UKAS accredited Medical Laboratory No. 8806) and/or All Wales Molecular Genetics Laboratory (UKAS accredited Medical Laboratory No. 8988).

Source: PBUL009 06/12/2023 Issue: 2 Review: 1