Specimen Collection

Sample stability:

• 6 days at 20-25 ^o C
• 4 weeks at 4-8 ^o C
• 1 year at -20 ^o C

4.5 mL PST Blood (Preferred)

0.5 mg/L Paediatric Micro-PST Blood (Preferred)

5 mL Heparin Blood

4 mL Plain Blood

3.5 mL SST Blood

0.5 mL Paediatric Microsample Blood
Reference Intervals

Units: g/L

Reference range:

0-30 days 30 - 60 days	45 - 75 45 -65
60 days - 6 months 6 - 12 months	50 - 75 55 - 80
1 - 70 years	66 - 84
>70 years	64 - 82

Uncertainty of Measurement: 5%

Turnaround Time: Within 3 hours
Assay Method

Principle: Colorimetric

Reagents: Roche Total Protein kit

Analyser: Cobas c702

Diagnostic Use and Interpretation

Causes of an increased total protein:

• myeloma
• polyclonal hyprgammaglobulinemia ( infections, autoimmune diseases, HIV)
• dehydration

Causes of decreased total protein:

• protein losing states: nephrotic syndrome, burns, protein-losing enteropathy
• decreased synthesis ( liver disease, malabsorption, starvation, protein malnutrition).

Contact Information

The chemical pathology team can be reached via email: chemicalpathologist@adhb.govt.nz or via Lablink (09) 307 4949 ext 22000 or 09-3078995

Emails will receive priority attention from the on-call chemical pathologist. Include the patients NHI.

After-hours: contact Lablink (Auckland City Hospital ext. 22000 or 09-3078995) or hospital operator for on duty staff after hours .

• Dr Samarina Musaad (Clinical Lead) : SamarinaM@adhb.govt.nz ext. 22402
• Dr Cam Kyle : CampbellK@adhb.govt.nz ext 22052
• Dr Weldon Chiu : WeldonC@adhb.govt.nz ext. 23427
• Dr Campbell Heron : CHeron@adhb.govt.nz ext. 23427
• Dr Sakunthala Jayasinghe Saku.Jayasinghe@adhb.govt.nz
• Dr Owen Yi WenyiYi@adhb.govt.nz

Last updated at 11:42:03 16/01/2026