Critical Values - Biochemistry
If a critical or panic value is encountered during routine Biochemistry testing, the ordering physician is immediately contacted and notified of result(s). If this occurs after regular office hours, the ordering physician (or physician on-call) will be contacted via answering service or at home. A Medical Biochemist is notified and will provide a consultative service when required.
Test |
Less Than |
Greater Than |
Comments |
|
Alcohol, Ethyl |
80 mmol/L | ||
|
Amylase |
1000 U/L |
||
|
Bicarbonate |
10 mmol/L |
45 mmol/L |
|
|
Bilirubin (babies) |
300 umol/L |
||
|
Calcium |
1.5 mmol/L |
3.5 mmol/L |
|
|
Carbamazepine |
85 umol/L |
||
|
Troponin I |
0.06 ug/L |
||
|
Cortisol |
140 nmol/L |
not on dexamethasone |
|
|
Digoxin |
3.5 nmol/L |
||
|
Dilantin |
160 umol/L |
||
|
Glucose (Adult) |
2.0 mmol/L |
28 mmol/L |
|
|
Glucose (Adult) |
2.0 mmol/L |
22 mmol/L |
with positive Ketones |
|
Glucose (Child 7 days to 17 years) |
2.0 mmol/L |
20 mmol/L |
|
|
Glucose (Child < 7 days) |
2.0 mmol/L |
15 mmol/L |
|
|
Glucose (Any gestation) |
20.0 mmol/L |
||
|
Lead |
7 umol/L |
||
|
Lipase |
1000 U/L |
||
|
Lithium (< 65 yrs) |
2.0 mmol/L |
||
|
Lithium (65 and over) |
1.5 mmol/L |
||
|
Magnesium |
0.4 mmol/L |
3.0 mmol/L |
|
|
Potassium |
2.5 mmol/L |
6.5 mmol/L |
unhemolyzed |
|
Sodium |
120 mmol/L |
160 mmol/L |
|
|
T4 (Free) (0-2yrs) |
6 pmol/L |
50 pmol/L |
|
|
T4 (Free) (> 2 yrs) |
2 pmol/L |
||
|
TSH (< 4 days) |
1.0 mU/L |
20 mU/L |
|
|
TSH (4 days to 2 yrs) |
10 mU/L |
||
|
Valproic Acid |
1000 umol/L |
