Laboratory Medicine

Laboratory Test Catalogue

Electrolytes, Serum (Lytes, NA, K, CL, CO2)
Test Name Electrolytes, Serum (Lytes NA, K, CL, CO2)
Specimen Type / Requirements Container Type = Gold (SST) Minimum Testing Volume = 1ml Serum Tube must fill to at least ½ or greater of its vacuum capacity Important Note: Pseudohyperkalemia is a term used to define elevated potassium due to pre-analytical factors that does not truly reflect the patient’s electrolyte status. To ensure good specimen integrity, precautions must be taken to avoid hemolysis throughout the pre-analytical process. Click here for more information.
Specimen Handling Collection Instructions: Serum or plasma, free from hemolysis, collected with or without gel separator. For plasma use lithium or ammonium heparin only. Separate serum or plasma from cells within 2 hours of collection. Write your initials, date and time of collection on the collection label. Stability: Lytes is stable at room temperature for 24 h, refrigerated for 1 week and frozen at -15 to -20°C for 6 months. Transportation: Transport at room temperature ASAP. Laboratory Staff Instructions: Separate serum or plasma from cells within 2 hours of collection. . Sample Rejection Criteria: Avoid Hemolysis and/or Non sufficient Quantity (Not Sufficient Quantity)
Required Documentation
Turnaround Time (TAT) 45 minutes Trauma/Stat, 2 hour routine	Test Utilization
Reference Value Sodium: 135 - 145 mmol/L Potassium: Serum: 3.5-5.0 mmol/L Potassium Plasma: 3.2-4.8 mmol/L Chloride: < 10 years: 96-110 mmol/L Chloride: >10 years: 96-106 mmol/L
Test Code LYT4	Methodology Indirect ISE
Testing Location SMH-Biochemistry	Other Information Last Updated: Aug 11, 2022

Electrolytes, Serum (Lytes, NA, K, CL, CO2)

Test Name

Electrolytes, Serum (Lytes NA, K, CL, CO2)

Specimen Type / Requirements

Container Type = Gold (SST)

Minimum Testing Volume = 1ml Serum

Tube must fill to at least ½ or greater of its vacuum capacity

Important Note: Pseudohyperkalemia is a term used to define elevated potassium due to pre-analytical factors
that does not truly reflect the patient’s electrolyte status. To ensure good specimen integrity, precautions must be
taken to avoid hemolysis throughout the pre-analytical process. Click here for more information.

Specimen Handling

Collection Instructions: Serum or plasma, free from hemolysis, collected with or without gel separator. For plasma use lithium or ammonium heparin only. Separate serum or plasma from cells within 2 hours of collection. Write your initials, date and time of collection on the collection label.

Stability: Lytes is stable at room temperature for 24 h, refrigerated for 1 week and frozen at -15 to -20°C for 6 months.

Transportation: Transport at room temperature ASAP.

Laboratory Staff Instructions: Separate serum or plasma from cells within 2 hours of collection. .

Sample Rejection Criteria: Avoid Hemolysis and/or Non sufficient Quantity (Not Sufficient Quantity)

Required Documentation

Turnaround Time (TAT)

45 minutes Trauma/Stat, 2 hour routine

Test Utilization

Reference Value

Sodium: 135 - 145 mmol/L

Potassium: Serum: 3.5-5.0 mmol/L

Potassium Plasma: 3.2-4.8 mmol/L

Chloride: < 10 years: 96-110 mmol/L

Chloride: >10 years: 96-106 mmol/L

Test Code

LYT4

Methodology

Indirect ISE

Testing Location

SMH-Biochemistry

Other Information

Last Updated: Aug 11, 2022