Alpha-subunit Pituitary Tumour Marker

Diagnostic Use

Alpha-subunit (ASU) measurement may assist in the diagnosis of pituitary tumours. Overall, 5-30% of pituitary adenomas may show elevation in serum ASU and not exclusively TSH secreting adenomas.

ASU may also help to differentiate TSH secreting adenoma (where elevated) from thyroid hormone resistance, both conditions where TSH may be inappropriately high for the level of thyroid hormones in the circulation.

Please note this test is NOT the same as Gonadotrophins (LH and FSH). All requests will be vetted by our Chemical Pathologist prior to analysis.

Department

Endocrinology Lab

Delphic Registration Code

ASU

Laboratory Handling

Separating

Must be separated within 4 hours.

Laboratory

Storage refrigerated no more than 7 days and frozen (PREFERRED) up to 6 months. Reject gross haemolysis, lipaemia and icterus.

Test Adds

Yes - If above conditions have been met.

Synonyms

Alpha subunit
ASU
hCG Alpha

Turnaround Time

16 weeks

Test Code

8663

Specimen Type

• Serum
• Plasma

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• Serum (Red Cap)

Acceptable

• Lithium Heparin - Non-gel (Green Cap)

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

1

Minimum Sample Volume (ml)

0.5

No of Samples Required

1

Interferences

Reject gross haemolysis, lipaemia and icterus.

Aliquot Instructions

Sample Type

• Serum
• Plasma

Minimum Volume (ml)

0.5

Transport to Lab

Frozen

Interpretation

Reference Intervals

	Males	Premenopausal Female	Postmenopausal Female
Reference Interval	< 0.7 IU/L	<0.6 IU/L	<1.3 IU/L

Test Method

IRMA (Beckman Coulter) radioimmunoassay.

Non-Funded Test Cost

$154.55 (Exclusive of GST)

Billing Code

8663

Contact Information

Enquiry Form