Test Overview
Potentiometric (ISE)
Evaluate electrolyte balance
<1 year: 3.6 - 5.5 mmol/L, 1-11 years: 3.3 - 5.1 mmol/L, 12-150 years: 3.5 - 5.1 mmol/L.
* Reference ranges may change over time. Please refer to the original patient report when evaluating results.
Test Details
2 hours
- K
- Potassium
- POT
- POTASSIUM LEVEL
STAT requests for this test will be performed on a STAT basis (supervisory staff approval is not required).
Specimen Requirements
Collect specimen in an SST tube. Centrifuge within 4 hours of collection, aliquot serum into a plastic vial and refrigerate. If specimen cannot be centrifuged at client site, please arrange for delivery to MLabs within 3 hours of specimen collection.
Falsely elevated potassium levels or falsely decreased glucose levels may result when the specimen remains uncentrifuged for more than 4 hours after collection. MLabs requests that samples for potassium and/or glucose collected at the client site be centrifuged or delivered uncentrifuged within 3 hours of collection. If unspun specimens sent for potassium or glucose testing are received without a collection date and time noted, MLabs will make every effort to obtain this information from the client. The specimen will not be rejected for being uncentrifuged; however, the following comment will be added to the report: "Specimen was received uncentrifuged more than four hours after draw. This may cause falsely elevated potassium level or falsely decreased glucose level. Please interpret results accordingly."