
Pathology tests directory
Our tests directory below includes information to support you to take and submit blood transfusion, chemical pathology, haematology, immunology, bacteriology, virology and other microbiology tests.
All testing is performed within the trust unless otherwise stated. If the required test is not listed, please contact the microbiology laboratory for guidance.
Please note: when printed, this information is only valid on the day of printing.
Reference ranges given are for general guidance. Results falling outside the reference range do not necessarily indicate underlying pathology.
Where a colour is given for the top of a sample tube, this applies only to adult size Vacutainer® tubes. Paediatric size and other manufacturers use different colour coding.
Key Staff
- Jayne Barmby, Pathology Service Manager, Tel : 020 8296 2976 (St Helier) or 01372 735287 (Epsom), Email: jayne.barmby@nhs.net
Please contact the laboratory if you need advice regarding paediatric specimens.
Test | Alternative name | Bottle / container | Bottle top colour | Turn around time (In days) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Salicylate | ![]() |
Yellow | 1hr | |
SARS-CoV-2 | COVID 19 | ![]() |
Viral swab | 24 hours |
Scl-70 | ![]() |
Yellow | 7 | |
Selenium | ![]() |
Dark blue | 21 days | |
Serotonin | 5HT | ![]() |
Purple | 28 days |
Serum Cystatin C level | Cystatin C | ![]() |
Yellow | 7 |
Serum Folate | Folic acid | ![]() |
Yellow | 1 day |
Serum Free Light chains | ![]() |
Yellow | 7 days | |
SHBG | Sex hormone binding globulin | ![]() |
Yellow | 7 days |
Sirolimus- see Rapamicine | ||||
Sm | ![]() |
Yellow | 7 | |
Sodium blood | ![]() |
Yellow | 1 day | |
Sodium 24 hr urine | White | |||
Soluble Transferrin Receptor | ![]() |
Yellow | ||
Sputum for T.B | ![]() |
Sterile plastic sputum pot | Positive cultures or smears reported immediately. Negative cultures reported at 8 weeks | |
Sputum routine culture | ![]() |
Sterile plastic sputum pot | Routine sputum 5 days Cystic fibrosis samples 5-7 days | |
Sterile fluids for TB culture | ![]() |
Positive cultures or smears reported immediately. Negative cultures reported at 8 weeks. | ||
Steroid Profile | White | 21 days | ||
Steroid Sulphatase | ![]() |
Purple | ||
Striated Muscle Autoantibody | Skeletal Muscle Ab | ![]() |
Yellow | 28 |
Strongyloides Ab | ![]() |
Yellow | ||
Sugar chromatography | ![]() |
White | 7 days | |
Sulphonylurea | ![]() |
Dark green | ||
Sweat chloride | NA | |||
Syphilis serology (Treponema pallidum IgG and IgM) | ![]() |
Blood tube: gold top or red top (vacutainer) | 1-3 working days non antenatal, 2-7 working days antenatal |