Pathology

Test & Collection Guide

Pathology staff view

PLEASE NOTE: Recent changes have been made to this Test

Recent changes for Lactate
Date	Field	Changed From	Changed To
21st March 2025	Request Group	LAC	LAC, CSFLACT
21st March 2025	Preferred Specimen Type	Plasma	Plasma Cerebrospinal Fluid
	Preferred Container Type	Fluoride/oxalate tube (grey)	Fluoride/oxalate tube (grey) CSF
	Collection & Request Instructions	Keep specimen on ice, transport to testing lab within four (4) hours. Preferred tube - fluoride/oxalate (grey topped vacuum tube) NB: specimens collected in this tube are unsuitable for most other tests. Acceptable tubes - Blood in a blood gas syringe, packed in ice and delivered within five minutes of collection. Serum is NOT an acceptable sample.	Keep specimen on ice, transport to testing lab within four (4) hours. Preferred tube - fluoride/oxalate (grey topped vacuum tube) NB: specimens collected in this tube are unsuitable for most other tests. Acceptable tubes - Blood in a blood gas syringe, packed in ice and delivered within five minutes of collection. Serum is NOT an acceptable sample. CSF performed as requested on a CSF collection

Lactate

Alternate names:

Lactic Acid

Laboratory:

Biochemistry

Test Code:

LAC, CSFLACT

Specimen types:

Plasma
Cerebrospinal Fluid

Container types:

Fluoride/oxalate tube (grey)
CSF

Collection Instructions:

Sample haemolysis may make this test unreportable

Keep specimen on ice, transport to testing lab within four (4) hours.

Preferred tube - fluoride/oxalate (grey topped vacuum tube)

NB: specimens collected in this tube are unsuitable for most other tests.

Acceptable tubes - Blood in a blood gas syringe, packed in ice and delivered within five minutes of collection.

Serum is NOT an acceptable sample.

CSF performed as requested on a CSF collection

Notes:

Confirm presence of acidaemia before ordering lactate.

Specimens must be collected without venous stasis.

Delayed analysis will cause falsely elevated levels.

Frequency:

Daily

Result Turnaround Time:

4 hours

Reference Interval:

0.5 - 2.2 mmol/L plasma

1.1 - 2.4 mmol/L CSF

If EMR is not available, Pathology results are available from Auscare. If you do not have an Auscare login,please complete attached form. https://pathology.easternhealth.org.au/handbook/downloads/Auscare%20access.pdf

Instruction on how to use Auscare - https://pathology.easternhealth.org.au/handbook/downloads/Auscare%20instructions.pdf

SPECIMEN COLLECTION MODULE (SCM) FAQs - CLICK HERE

CLICK HERE for a consent form to perform tests not covered by Medicare

CLICK HERE for Minimum Labelling Requirements

For Microbiology Swab Collection https://pathology.easternhealth.org.au/handbook/downloads/microbiology/Microbiology%20Swab%20Specimen%20Collection.pdf

CLICK HERE for a printable Pathology request form

"THE ART OF CCCCOLLECTION"

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR THE PREFERRED ORDER OF DRAW

Test & Collection Guide

PLEASE NOTE: Recent changes have been made to this Test

Recent changes for Lactate

Date

Field

Changed From

Changed To

Request Group

Preferred Specimen Type

Preferred Container Type

Collection & Request Instructions