Specimen Collection

Bile salts are stable in serum/plasma for at least 7 days at 4 ⁰ C.

REQUEST FOR URGENT BILE ACIDS testing in pregnancy (i.e. require <24 hours turn around time)

1. Prior approval must be from an Obstetrician/Obstetric Physician Senior Medical Officer OR Maternal-Fetal Medicine

2. Out of hours urgent requests (from 16:30 Friday until 12:00 Sunday, with the exception of public holidays) will also require approval by a LabPlus Chemical Pathologist.

4 mL Plain Serum (Preferred)

2.5 mL Paediatric Micro-heparin Blood (Preferred)

Required 2 x micro plain tubes

4 mL EDTA Blood

4 mL Heparin Blood

3.5 mL SST Blood

2.5 mL Paediatric Micro-heparin Blood

Required 2 x micro heparin tubes

4.5 mL PST Blood
Reference Intervals

Units: umol/L

Reference interval: <15

Uncertainty of Measurement: 12 %

Turnaround Time: Within 1 week

Performed twice a week.

Assay Method

Principle : Kinetic rate reaction

Reagent: Diazyme TBA

Analyser: Indiko Plus

Diagnostic Use and Interpretation

Alternately, click the link for a full copy of the diagnostic/interpretation of the test

Download: Diagnostic and interpretation - Bile acids - testguide dx use and interpretation information - 11 2 19.pdf

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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