Change to FT4 Testing
May 09, 2025
Diagnosis of Thyroid dysfunction The relationship between TSH and FT4 makes TSH a very sensitive marker of thyroid function; if FT4 is decreased by 50%, TSH will increase about 100 times. In most patients TSH is the preferred initial test when checking for thyroid disease. If TSH falls outside the reference interval, additional testing will be automatically triggered: TSH > 5 FT4 is added TSH <…
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Skin Allergy Test Request Process
May 05, 2025
In September 2023, Pathlab released a clinical update with a link to the online skin prick request form, requesting that only this be used instead of the previous paper and fillable pdf versions. While most requests now come via this form, we continue to receive printed and scanned forms. Effective 1st June 2025, Pathlab will no longer accept skin prick requests that are not submitted via the…
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Eclair Data Backload
May 01, 2025
Pathlab Eclair data backload progress update. As you will be aware, Pathlab upgraded the Eclair software used for the electronic ordering system on the 30th of March. Due to a database technology change between the versions of Eclair it was not safe to migrate patient data to the upgraded Eclair system. This means we have had to regenerate the patient data from our laboratory system to back fill…
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Microbiological Testing of Ear Swabs
April 14, 2025
Ear Swabs Received at Pathlab for Microbial Testing The data above shows that the number of ear swabs submitted to Pathlab for microbiological processing has steadily increased over the last few years. The external auditory canal is not a sterile site, and the value of microbiological culture in the routine management of Otitis Externa and Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media is limited. Ear swabs…
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Throat Swabs
April 02, 2025
From culture to molecular testing Culture has been the mainstay for the detection of throat pathogens like Group A beta-haemolytic Streptococcus (GAS), Streptococcus pyogenes, for many decades, with other options like antigen testing lacking sensitivity. In recent years, molecular tests for GAS have become available but, in all cases, have lacked the ability to handle large volumes of specimens or…
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