Specimen Collection

The basic measurement of cholinesterase activity is done at Labplus. This requires either plain or heparinised blood.

Phenotyping of genetic cholinesterase variants, requires an EDTA tube (not frozen), which will be forwarded to Canterbury Health Laboratories for analysis.

Specimen note:

Do NOT use Seraclear or gel separation tube.

4 mL EDTA Blood (Preferred)

4 mL Heparin Blood

4 mL Plain Blood
Reference Intervals

Units : U/mL (kU/L)

Reference interval:

Adult	> 4.8
Pregnancy	17 - 40% lower than nonpregnant adult range
Newborn	lower than adult range
Children	Up to 25% higher than adult levels

Uncertainty of Measurement: 7%

Turnaround Time: Within 1 week

Performed Weekly.

Assay Method

Principle: Kinetic rate reaction

Reagent: In-house reagents

Analyser: Indiko Plus

Diagnostic Use and Interpretation

Download: Cholinesterase Diagnostic and Interpretation - Cholinesterase testguide dx use and interpretation information - 11 2 19.pdf

Download Full Sized Image

Download Full Sized Image

Contact Information

Emails to chemicalpathologist@adhb.govt.nz will receive priority attention from the on-call chemical pathologist.

If the query concerns a specific patient please include the NHI number in your email.

If email is not a suitable option, please contact the on-call chemical pathologist via Lablink (Auckland City Hospital ext. 22000 or 09-3078995).

Individual chemical pathologists may be contacted but will not be available at all times.

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: Sakunthala@adhb.govt.nz ext. 23427

Last updated at 15:26:00 06/01/2025