Blood Test Information

Potassium (whole blood)

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Test Code: KWB

Tube type: Lithium Heparin

Other acceptable tube types
No other sample type acceptable

Special instructions
None

Reference range
3.4 - 4.5

Units
mmol/L

Turnaround Time
1 day

Department: Biochemistry

Clinical Application
As potassium has a much higher intracellular concentration than extra-cellular concentration, factors which increase the amount of intracellular potassium leaking into extra-cellular fluid may cause a falsely high result. E.g. an old or haemolysed sample.