DWR Diagnostics Laboratory

Endocrinology

Test name Test details Sample requirement Test code Turnaround time

Adrenal Gland

Endogenous ACTH

ACTH concentration to distinguish pituitary/ adrenal dependent hyperadrenocorticism

Dogs

1 ml separated EDTA plasma, frozen immediately and sent in freezer pack

ACTH

Up to 7 days

Cats FACT

Canine ACTH stimulation test

Cortisol pre- and 60 mins post ACTH. Vetoryl monitoring: 4–6 h post pill (see adrenal gland test protocols)

0.5 ml serum or heparin plasma pre- and post ACTH

ACTS

Same day

Feline ACTH stimulation test

Basal cortisol plus cortisol 60 and 90 mins post ACTH (see adrenal gland test protocols)

0.5 ml serum or heparin plasma pre- and post ACTH

ACTS

Same day

Basal cortisol

Basal cortisol

0.5ml serum of heparin plasma

CORB

Same day

Pre-trilostane cortisol

Trilostane monitoring: sample immediately pre-pill

0.5ml serum or heparin plasma

PTC

Same day

Dexamethasone suppression test

Basal cortisol plus cortisol 3-4 & 8 h post dexamethasone (see adrenal gland  test protocols)

0.5 ml serum or heparin plasma pre-, 3 h and 8 h post dexamethasone

LDDT

Same day

Urine cortisol:creatinine

Urine cortisol:creatinine ratio as a screen for hyperadrenocorticism

Plain urine

UCCR

2-3 days

Urine catecholamines

For suspected phaeochromocytoma

10ml acidified urine

(contact lab)

CATU

Up to 7 days

17 Hydroxy- progesterone

17-Hydroxyprogesterone pre- and post ACTH in evaluation of atypical Cushings

0.5ml serum or heparin plasma pre- and post ACTH

OHP

Up to 7 days

Canine adrenal profile

Oestradiol, progesterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, cortisol, testosterone and androstenedione pre and post ACTH

1ml serum pre and 1ml post

ADRP

Up to 7 days

Ferret adrenal profile

Oestradiol, 17 hydroxyprogesterone, cortisol and androstenedione

1 ml serum

FAP

Up to 7 days

Thyroid Gland

T4

Total T4/thyroxine

0.5 ml serum or heparin

T4

Same day

T4/TSH

Total T4 and canine TSH

0.5 ml serum or heparin

T4TS

Same day

TSH add-on

TSH added to T4

0.5 ml serum or heparin

TSHA

Same day

Free T4 ed

Free T4 by equilibrium dialysis

0.5 ml serum

FT4

3 days

TGAA

Thyroglobulin autoantibodies for suspected hypothyroidism with atypical T4/TSH results

0.5 ml serum

TGAA

5 days

Canine thyroid profile

T4, cTSH, free T4 ed, TGAA

1 ml serum

CTP

5 days

Greyhound thyroid profile

T4, TSH, T3, TGAA

1 ml serum

GTP

Up to 7 days

Reproductive tests

Progesterone

Assay for ovulation detection in the bitch for timing of mating

0.5 ml serum (not gel)

PROG

Same day if arrives am

Progesterone with telephone result

Assay for ovulation detection in the bitch for timing of mating, plus telephone result

0.5 ml serum (not gel)

PROT

Same day if arrives am

Anti-Mullerian hormone

For detection of ovarian or testicular tissue in cats or dogs

Serum gel

AMUL

Up to 7 days

Oestradiol

Detects onset of oestrus or presence of ovarian tissue in spayed females

1 ml serum

OES

7 days

Oestradiol pre- and post- hCG

For detection of ovarian tissue in spayed female dogs and cats, used when they are not showing oestrus behaviour

2 x 1 ml Serum or heparin plasma

OEX2

7 days

Progesterone pre- and post- hCG

For detection of ovarian tissue in spayed female cats when they are showing oestrus behaviour

2 x 0.5 ml serum (not gel)

PRX2

Same day

Testosterone

To detect presence of testicular tissue

0.5 ml serum

TEST

2–3 days

Testosterone pre- and post- hCG

Testosterone pre- and post hCG to detect presence of testicular tissue (see reproductive test protocols)

2 x 0.5 ml serum

hCGM

7 days

Miscellaneous endocrine tests

Aldosterone

Aldosterone concentration in suspected hyperaldosteronism

1 ml serum or heparin plasma

ALDO

Up to 7days

Renin

To confirm hyperaldosteronism is due to adrenal gland neoplasia

1 ml EDTA plasma immediately separated & frozen, sent in freezer pack

RENI

Up to 3 wks

Insulin + Glucose

For suspected insulinoma

0.5 ml serum, glucose oxalate

INSU

3 days

PTH

In evaluation of suspected primary hyperparathyroidism

Separated, rapidly frozen EDTA plasma sent in freezer pack

PTH

Up to 7 days

PTH-rp

In suspected hypercalcaemia of malignancy

Separated, rapidly frozen EDTA plasma sent in freezer pack

PTHR

Up to 7 days

PTH+PTHrp

In evaluation of hypercalcaemia

Separated, rapidly frozen EDTA plasma sent in freezer pack

PTPT

Up to 7 days

Calcitrol/Vitamin D

1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol and

25-hydroxycholecalciferol

1 ml serum, protect from light

VITD

Up to 14 days

IGF1

For suspected acromegaly or dwarfism

0.5 ml serum

IGF1

Up to 14 days

Please call the lab for a freezer pack to transport samples for endogenous ACTH, PTH, PTHrp & renin

PTH & PTHrP- Measurement of contemporaneous ionised calcium is required for interpretation of these parameters. See clinical chemistry for test details and sample handing.