Variations in serum glucose, urea, creatinine and sodium and potassium as a consequence of delayed transport/ processing of samples and delay in assays

Abstract

Fifty blood samples were drawn in replicates and brought to the laboratory. One batch of the samples
was processed immediately and the glucose, urea, creatinine and the electrolytes, sodium and potassium
were assayed. The batch of replicate samples were processed after three hours and the assays
performed. The assays for the above analytes were again performed from the replicate samples after
twenty-four hours of serum-clot contact. The variations of the values of the above analytes were
scrutinized. Glucose values showed significant variation with time. There was significant decrease
in the glucose values after three hours and after further twenty-four hours of serum-clot contact
the values reduced significantly. The variations in the values of urea and creatinine and also sodium
after processing the samples after three hours and also further twenty-four of serum-clot contact
were insignificant. The values of potassium after processing after three hours were insignificant but
the values however increased significantly after further twenty-four hours of serum-clot contact.
abstract

Key Words: Variations, biochemical analytes, delayed processing and delayed assays.