Laboratory Test Reference Guide

Laboratory Information

Test Name

Calcium (ionised, pH 7.4)

Specimen Collection

Adult Specimen

1.0 ml blood in an adult blood gas syringe or 0.5 ml in a paediatric blood gas syringe. Testing can also be performed on a full SST tube, centrifuged and only opened for analysis on the blood gas analyser.

Specimen Collection and Transport Protocols

Remove at least 3 ml of blood to waste prior to collecting the blood sample from a line.  Must be analysed within 15 minutes of collection.

Paediatric Specimen

0.5 ml blood in a paediatric blood gas syringe

Instructions for Referral to Waikato Lab

Aliquot instructions

Collect a full SST tube.

Aliquot Transport

Centrifuge and transport at 4°C.

Test Information

Department

Biochemistry and POCT

Test Availability

Mon - Sun, 24hrs

Laboratory Turnaround Time

30 minutes

Method

Blood gas analyser

Unit of measurement

mmol/L

Reference interval

1 day to 1year   1.10 - 1.45 mmol/L           

>1Y  1.15 – 1.30 mmol/L

Uncertainty of measurement

± 0.05

Additional Information

Measured ionised calcium is adjusted to pH = 7.4 to adjust for the effects of any CO2 loss (on ionised calcium) that may have occurred during sample handling.  In patients with acid/base disturbance, it is inappropriate to use the adjusted ionised calcium, the "unadjusted ionised calcium" result should be used.

Minimum Volume

0.3 ml collected into a paediatric blood gas syringe

Electronic Information

Registration Code

CALI74

HL7 mapping code

$CALI74

LOINC Code

19072-8