Pathology | Eastern Health

Test & Collection Guide

Pathology staff view

PLEASE NOTE: Recent changes have been made to this Test

Recent changes for Beta-Hydroxybutyrate
Date	Field	Changed From	Changed To
14th January 2025	Assay name	Ketones (Blood)	Beta-Hydroxybutyrate
	Laboratory	Unassigned	Referred Test
	Volume (Adults)		1 mL
	Minimum/Paediatric Volume		1 mL
	Collection & Request Instructions		Transport ON ICE IMMEDIATELY to lab
	Collection & Request Instructions		Take test before correcting hypoglycaemia. Take concurrently with formal glucose, and, ideally, C-peptide. Consider other relevant tests that might be required (e.g. Growth hormone, ACTH)
	Frequency	Daily	Twice weekly

Beta-Hydroxybutyrate

Ordering information:

For the diagnosis of ketoacidosis, this test is done at the patient's bedside using the Optium Blood Glucose Meter (available in all wards).

For use in dynamic endocrine tests - as per protocol and to investigate causes of hypoglycaemia.

Please note that Eastern Health Policy promotes Blood Ketone testing in place of Urine Ketones.

Please click here for the policy regarding Blood Ketone testing.

Alternate names:

beta Hydroxybutyric Acid, Ketones, OH butyrate

Laboratory:

Referred Test

Test Code:

OHBUT

Specimen types:

Serum

Container types:

Serum tube with gel

Collection Instructions:

Transport ON ICE IMMEDIATELY to lab

Take test before correcting hypoglycaemia. Take concurrently with formal glucose, and, ideally, C-peptide. Consider other relevant tests that might be required (e.g. Growth hormone, ACTH)

Minimum Adult Volume:

1 mL

Paediatric Minimum Volume:

1 mL

Frequency:

Twice weekly

Result Turnaround Time:

1-2 weeks

Laboratory Use Only

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%20user%20Form%20LIS.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 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

Printable Pathology request form https://pathology.easternhealth.org.au/handbook/downloads/2025%20A5%20referral%20slip_2%20pages.docx

"THE ART OF CCCCOLLECTION"

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR THE PREFERRED ORDER OF DRAW

Feedback

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Test & Collection Guide

PLEASE NOTE: Recent changes have been made to this Test

Recent changes for Beta-Hydroxybutyrate

Date

Field

Changed From

Changed To

Assay name

Laboratory

Volume (Adults)

Minimum/Paediatric Volume

Collection & Request Instructions