Specimen Collection
5 mL Urine
Turnaround Time: Within 3 hours
Urgent sample within 1 hour. Contact laboratory to notify.
Diagnostic Use and Interpretation
This is a dip-stick test : results are semi-quantitative.
This test measures acetoacetate only (not acetone or beta-hydroxybutyrate). It can be positive in pregnancy with minimal fasting, in prolonged fasting and prolonged exercise. It can be positive in diabetic and alcoholic ketoacidosis. As it only measures urine acetoacetate, it is possible to observe a paradoxical rise during the recovery phase of ketoacidosis.
Serum or plasma beta-hydroxybutyrate is the test of choice in diagnosis and monitoring of ketoacidosis.
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
.