Biochemistry

Preferred Sample Type

Haptoglobin

Suitable Specimen Types

Li Hep Plasma Serum

Haptoglobin

Specimen Volume

1 ml whole blood

Sample Preparation

Centrifuge specimen

Turnaround Time

24 hours

Sample Processing In Laboratory

Usual

Sample Stability

Samples are stable for 3 months at 15℃, sample are stable for 8 months at 8℃

General Information

Haptoglobin binds free haemoglobin (Hb) resulting from pathologically elevated haemolysis with the Hp-Hb complexes stored in hepatocytes, and so prevents iron loss. For this reason, haptoglobin levels will be decreased in haemolytic anaemias. Causes of haemolysis include transfusion reactions, certain drugs, and/or mechanical breakage, such as may be seen with some artificial heart valves. The destruction may be mild or severe, acute or chronic.

Serum haptoglobin levels are often elevated following acute burns, acute and chronic inflammatory states and nephrotic syndrome, and is reduced in hyperlipidaemic states. Liver disease may also result in low haptoglobin levels as liver damage may reduce both the production of haptoglobin and the removal of the haptoglobin-haemoglobin complexes. The acute-phase response in inflammatory and malignant disorders is best determined by serial measurements of haptoglobin and other proteins.

 

Patient Preparation

None

Notes

There is no significant interference from icterus, haemolysis or lipaemia. In very rare cases gammopathy, in particular type IgM (Waldenström’s macroglobulinaemia), may cause unreliable results.   

Reference Range

Males        0.14 - 2.58 g/L

Females    0.35 - 2.50 g/L

Specifications

  • EQA Status:

    NEQAS

  • EQAS Scheme: Yes

Link to Further Information

http://www.labtestsonline.org.uk/understanding/analytes/haptoglobin/tab/glance

Creation Date

Monday, 08 August 2011

Modification Date

Monday, 10 February 2020

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Protection of Personal Information – Clinical Laboratory Services comply with the Trust Data Protection Policy and have procedures in place to allow the Directorate and it’s employees to comply with the Data Protection Act 1998 and associated best practice and guidance.

University Hospitals Birmingham medical laboratories at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Heartlands Hospital, Good Hope Hospital and Solihull Hospital are UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) accredited to the ISO 15189:2012 standard. For a list of accredited tests and other information please visit the UKAS website using the following link: https://www.ukas.com/find-an-organisation/

  • Molecular Pathology is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8759
  • Biochemistry is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8910
  • Haematology and Transfusion is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8784
  • Clinical Microbiology is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8760
  • Cellular Pathology is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 10141
  • Musculoskeletal laboratory is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 9897
  • Heartlands, Good Hope and Solihull Hospital pathology laboratories are a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No.8217.

Tests not appearing on the UKAS Schedule of Accreditation currently remain outside of our scope of accreditation. However, these tests have been validated to the same high standard as accredited tests and are performed by the same trained and competent staff.

For further test information, please visit the test database: http://qehbpathology.uk/test-database

For further information contact Louise Fallon, Quality Manager, 0121 371 5962