Endocrinology

The test frequency, sample type and reference range for the various endocrine and tumour marker tests are shown in the table below.

Test

Sample type

Test frequency

Reference range

Free T4

serum

Daily

10-24 pmol/l

Free T3

serum

Mon/Wed/Fri

3.5-6.5 pmol/l

TSH

serum

Daily

0.35-5.5 mU/l

TPO

serum

Weekly

<10 iU/l

LH

serum

Daily

Variable. See report

FSH

serum

Daily

Variable. See report

Progesterone

serum

Twice weekly

Variable. See report

Oestradiol

serum

Twice weekly

Variable. See report

Prolactin

serum

Twice weekly

Variable. See report

Testosterone

serum

Weekly

Male <50yrs 10-50 nmol/l

>50yrs 7-30 nmol/l

Female 0.3-1.6 nmol/l

SHBG

serum

Weekly

Male 10-50 nmol/l

Female 20-100 nmol/l

Cortisol

serum

Daily

9.00am 200-650 nmol/l

midnight 60-250 nmol/l

Urine Cortisol

Urine, 24hr Plain bottle

Weekly

Up to 165 nmol/24 hours

Growth Hormone

serum

Weekly

Variable. See report

AFP

serum

Daily

<5 U/ml (Non-pregnant adult)

HCG

serum

Daily

<5 U/l (non-pregnant)

PSA

serum

Daily

See report

CEA

serum

Daily

<5 µg/l

CA19-9

serum

Weekly

<20 U/ml

CA-125

serum

Twice weekly

<23 U/ml

Downs Screening

serum

Twice weekly

Risk factor. See report.

(Sent to Regional Centre)

Vit D

serum

Three times per week

See report.

Seasonal variation

IGF-1

serum

Weekly

Age dependent. See report

PTH

serum on ice

Weekly

16-65 pg/ml. Depending on current serum [Ca]

Thyroid function tests consist of TSH and Free T4 as first line tests. The addition of Free T3 and TPO will depend on the results of the first line tests and the clinical details. For information on the interpretation of endocrine tests, contact either Dr. Kelly , Dr Horsman or Dr. Warburton.