Urinary Haemosiderin

Description: 
Haemosiderin is a pigment formed when haemoglobin breaks down. In cases of excessive haemolysis haemosiderin is filtered by the kidney for excretion in the urine. The sample is centrifuged and the deposit is stained using Perl's iron stain, which is reviewed by a Haemology Registrar/Consultant.
Reference range: 

n/a

Synonyms or keywords: 
URHA
Department: 
Blood Sciences Department
Location: 
St Thomas' Hospital
Sample type and Volume required: 
Urine;
An early morning urine sample should be taken for testing.
Turnaround time: 
Routine: 5 working days; Urgent: Contact the Laboratory.
Special sample instructions: 

Interfering factors:

  • Bacterial contamination;
  • Insufficient volume;

Please note that the laboratory may be unable to provide results whenever any of these factors interfere with the technical validity of the results; Report will be issued with an appropriate comment.

Criteria for acceptance / rejections of sample
Storage and transport: 
Send to laboratory as soon as possible; delays in transportation may lead to bacterial contamination.
Contacts:
Blood Sciences Department-Guy's And St Thomas' Hospital
St Thomas' Hospital
North Wing - 5th Floor
Westminster Bridge Road
London SE1 7EH
Contact: 020 7188 9247

Guy's Hospital
Southwark Wing - 4th Floor
Great Maze Pond
London SE1 9RT
Contact: 020 7188 4781
Haematology Laboratory at Guy's and St Thomas' Clinical Advisory Service
Routine hours: bleep 1358
Paediatrics Routine hours: bleep 1621

Out of hours, weekend and bank holidays: 17:00-9:00 bleep 0294
For clinical advice or interpretation of results, please contact the laboratory in the first instance.
Laboratory: 
Haematology Laboratory at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital

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Last updated: 13/08/2021