Specimen Collection
SPECIMEN: Fresh random urine collected into a small, clean plastic container.
- The specimen must not come into contact with any metal containing iron.
- Send specimen to laboratory as soon as possible after collection.
Reference Intervals
Reference Interval: Normal = None Detected
Report as: None detected, Weakly positive or Strongly positive.
Turnaround Time: Within 2 days
- Results available within 2 working days (Monday - Friday)
Diagnostic Use and Interpretation
- The presence of haemosiderin indicates intravascular red cell destruction.
- Urinary haemosiderin is detected following chronic intravascular haemolysis (e.g. PNH, cardiac haemolysis) or acute massive haemolysis (e.g. incompatible blood transfusion).
INTERPRETATION:
Haemosiderinuria occurs due to the presence of haemoglobin in the glomerular
filtrate. It is a sign of chronic intravascular haemolysis, for the urine will be
found to contain iron-containing granules even in the absence of haemoglobinuria.
Haemosiderin is not found in the urine at the onset of a haemolytic attack even
if this is accompanied by haemoglobinaemia and haemoglobinuria, as the
haemoglobin is initially absorbed by the tubular cells of the kidney. The
intracellular breakdown of haemoglobin liberates iron which is then re-excreted.
Haemosiderinuria may persist for several weeks after a haemolytic episode.
Contact Information
For further information contact the
Special
Haematology laboratory (Ext 22065)
or:
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Dr Anna Ruskova
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Ext 22137
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Dr Louisa Stone
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Ext 22062
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Dr Nikhil Rabade
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Ext 22071
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Dr Peter Bradbeer
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Ext 22062
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