Ethylene Glycol

Clinical Chemistry

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Description

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Indications

Suspected ethylene glycol ingestion.  This test CANNOT detect diethylene glycol. This assay is only available upon request.  For STH users, the Toxicology laboratory (Monday to Friday 09:00 to 17:00) should be contacted to arrange sample analysis. Out of hours, contact the on-call BMS for Clinical Chemistry for analysis of urgent samples.  Please note that this analysis is provided by an external laboratory, and hence, turnaround times cannot be guaranteed.  External users can contact the Toxicology laboratory 09:00 to 17:00 Monday to Friday.  Please note that this assay is not available outside these times, and samples from external laboratories MUST arrive before 14:00.

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Sample Type

Serum or fluoride oxalate plasma minimum 1m L separated serum/plasma required, random unpreserved urine sample (white top).

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Reference Range

Ethylene glycol is normally absent from blood and urine. Limit of detection of assay is 50 mg/L. This test CANNOT detect diethylene glycol.

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Turnaround Time

Within 1 day

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Testing Frequency

Available 09:00 to 16:00 Monday to Friday upon request. Outside these times if urgent analysis is required, please contact the On-call BMS Clinical Chemistry.

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Patient Preparation

Samples should be taken 2 hours after suspected ingestion. Results provided by Sheffield Teaching Hospitals are for clinical purposes only. Results are not suitable for and should not be used for medico-legal purposes.

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Please note: the above information is subject to change and we endeavour to keep this website up to date wherever necessary.