Chemistry Updates

AST/ALT Regent changes

Beginning July 11, 2023, Parkview Health Laboratories will begin utilizing a reagent containing pyridoxal phosphate for ALT (SGPT) and AST (SGOT) measurements.  The use of pyridoxal phosphate prevents falsely low aminotransferase activity in patients with vitamin B6 deficiency.  The addition of pyridoxal phosphate increases aminotransferase activity, so a slight positive bias is expected relative to the current reagent.  Reference ranges will be adjusted to reflect this change.  Please refer any questions concerning this change to Dr. Ling Hui, Chemistry Technical Director, at 266-1365 or Ann Vick, Lab Chemistry Specialist, at 266-1587.

Meeting your Ordering Needs

To better meet the needs of our ordering providers, orders for Antiphospholipid Antibodies (EPIC IMO157) will include Beta-2-Glycoprotein Antibodies (IgA, IgG, IgM) beginning Monday, June 31, 2023. 

Please refer questions about this testing addition to Dr. Ling Hui, Immunology Technical Director, at 266-1365 or Ann Vick, Laboratory Chemistry Specialist, at 266-1587.

Iron Deficiency Changes

Per hematology and Family Practice Guidelines, the recommended evaluation for Iron Deficiency is Ferritin followed by %Saturation (Iron/TIBC). Ferritin at times can be interpreted without %Saturation (Iron/TIBC), but there are no clinical scenarios where the %Saturation (Iron/TIBC) should be interpreted without corresponding Ferritin.  Moving forward, the iron ordering option will include Ferritin.  Please refer any questions to Dr. L. Hui, MD, Chemistry Technical Consultant at 266-1365.”